Food bank tax credit hoped to spur more farmer donations

There are mixed reactions from farmers in the northeast about a recently announced tax credit for those who donate to food banks, but the executive director of the Sudbury Food Bank says he expects much more fresh food will come his way.

Dan Xilon said he hopes the 25 per cent tax credit will convince farmers to donate fresh food, such as eggs, milk and vegetables.

“We're looking forward to a … larger amount of fresh produce from the farmers around here.”

Ontario Association of Food Banks executive director Bill Laidlaw helped the province formulate the 25 per cent tax credit for farmers who donate produce to food banks.

He said that percentage should make it worth a farmer's while to give.

“We believe that for a lot of farmers, it's easier to plow it under or just leave it on the tree,” Laidlaw said.

“This will be an incentive where they can actually benefit in a number of ways.”

But, not all farmers in the region say it's incentive enough.

Dianne Deschatelets, owner of Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls near North Bay, said she is skeptical that any farmers will donate to get the tax credit.

“I feel it should be at least 50 per cent of the full market value to even cover the cost of production,” she said.

The owner of Field Good Farms in Cache Bay, east of Sudbury, said any little bit helps.

“It is a little cherry on the sundae,” Isabelle Spence-Legault said.

“But it's not going incite us to give more. We're already donating everything we have in excess.”

In Sudbury, farmer Stuart McCall said anything that helps get fresh food to those in need is a bonus.

Laidlaw added his association is working on a transportation credit for southern farmers to bring produce to northern food banks.