Food Bank of Waterloo Region asking for fresh fruits and vegetables
The food bank is hosting its first ever harvest food drive
The Waterloo Region Food Bank is asking residents to donate more fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of canned foods.
Saturday, the organization is hosting its first ever harvest food drive to gather more fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to local agencies.
"More than 60 per cent of the food that we distribute in Waterloo Region is fresh or frozen," Wendi Campbell, executive director of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region told CBC K-W. "But we've never had an opportunity for the community to be able to donate that food."
- Culturally-specific foods in demand at Waterloo Region food banks
- Community need for food bank seen daily by Waterloo Regional Police
Campbell says that when people think about donating food, they often think of non-perishable items like canned and dry foods.
But for the food bank and their partners, she says fresh food is an important part of their inventory, and a way to improve the health effects of the food they serve.
"We've really spent a number of years focusing on healthy food programmes [and] increasing the nutritional value of the hampers and meals that are being provided in the community."
The food bank is asking residents to donate newly purchased fruits and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, apples, oranges and zucchini.
Residents can drop off food at either the Sobeys on Ira Needles Blvd. or the one on Bridgeport Road between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm Saturday.