January 9, 2011

America’s good food fight

It’s agribusiness vs. the sustainable food movement. And reform advocates say it’s possible to make delicious, nutritious, safe food available to all people of all income levels.

An op-ed editorial by Nicolette Hahn Niman

Our holiday table got quite tense. We are a mixed family — Jewish, Christian, Republican, Democrat –— but the tension wasn’t from differences over religion or politics. It was about food.

At one end of the table sat my husband’s nephew, who runs a food bank. He’s an earnest man who spends his days seeking nourishment for the hungry, and favors almost anything that increases food’s availability or lowers its price. My husband and I occupied the other end. We operate a pasture-based ranch, and spend much of our time advocating for farming grounded in ecology and stewardship. The food we raise is less readily available and more expensive than most of what’s found at typical grocery stores.

Other family members sat between us. They enjoy eating well but, especially in these tough economic times, want their meals as cheap as possible.

Our family dynamic mirrors an emerging national debate about how America’s food should be produced. The controversy is often framed by agribusiness and food companies, heavily invested in maintaining the status quo, claiming that a globalized, industrialized system is the only way to produce enough food to feed the world’s growing population, and to do so affordably. Reform advocates working to transform the system to one that’s more locally based and isn’t dependent on chemicals, mechanization and cheap fossil fuels are pitted against the world’s poor, working class and hungry.

In other words, the sustainable food movement is characterized as uncaring and elitist.

A recent Newsweek piece titled “What Food Says About Class in America” described “a national phenomenon” of people seeking non-industrial foods because they believe that eating organically and locally helps farmers and farm animals while contributing to the health and well-being of their families and the planet. The author confessed a discomfort with such intense focus on high-quality food while “less than five miles away, some children don’t have enough to eat; others exist almost exclusively on junk food.”

Of course, similar concerns could be voiced regarding cars, housing or healthcare. But more to the point, our experience as ranchers and reform advocates belies the notion that today’s good food movement is either callous or elitist. Making delicious, nutritious, safe food available to all people inspires much of the passion of those laboring to reshape America’s food system. We’ve met them in every region of the country. They are young people setting up diversified farms; chefs dedicated to local sourcing; ordinary citizens establishing farmers markets; mothers and fathers remaking public school lunch programs, and on and on. They come from all walks of life, all incomes and every ethnicity.

It’s ironic that spokespersons of multinational corporations paint this broad-ranging, truly grass-roots movement as exclusive. Yet the criticism resonates to an extent because sustainably produced foods are often more expensive.

Commodity foods — from large-scale, industrialized agricultural production — seem cheap by comparison because they’re produced without bearing their true costs, which are passed on in the form of pollution, virulent infectious diseases and animal suffering.

“If the full cost of externalized environmental and health costs were taken into account, those same products would be far more expensive,” the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production concluded in a 2008 report issued with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Read more: America’s good food fight

Going across Canada, profiling one foodbank per day for the entire month of Ramadan.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/RamadanFoodbankDiaries?ref=nf

Dear Leaders In Deed, Supporters, & Friends:

Thank you for your support of the Feed Me Campaign. Ramadan is now upon us and we are looking for your support to end off the Feed Me Hunger campaign on a high note. The campaign officially ends shortly after the end of Ramadan, on September 15.  What better time to work on the issue of hunger in Canada, than during this blessed month?

Here’s how you can help “DO Something” about Food insecurity and hunger in your own communities today!

_______________________________________________

1)   If you haven’t already, please register yourself for the campaign:

• Go to http://www.relief-works.org/ , click on the “register” button at the top right, and follow a few easy instructions to become a “Leader In Deed”.
• Then follow easy steps to invite 10 of your friends to sponsor you by donating $10 each.  (All donations of $10 and up are automatically tax-receipted via email.)

Getting just 10 of your friends to donate $10 will help the campaign raise $100.00. Now imagine how much we can raise to help those dealing with food insecurity and hunger locally if we were to reach out to all of the people we know.

If you’re already registered, please re-motivate yourself to ensure that this gets done during this blessed month.

2)   Feed Me is introducing the “Ramadan Foodbank Diaries” (http://www.facebook.com/RamadanFoodbankDiaries):  The idea is to have people from around Canada go out and start visiting foodbanks throughout Ramadan, and help profile them by asking specific questions and taking pictures or videos, as a way of raising awareness of the issue.

They are looking for 30 people to volunteer from across Canada, to visit just one foodbank each.  If you can give up just two hours of your time for this during this month, please do visit the link indicated above and let them know.

When people learn about foodbanks in their own neighbourhoods, they become more aware about hunger around them as well.  We’re also looking to inspire others to register as LID’s and help raise more funds for hunger in their own communities. The more people we bring online the greater the impact.

3)   Sharing a link on Facebook:

• the following facebook event is available for “sharing”, share this with your contacts:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110959465606605&ref=ts
• change your status to say: “Think hunger and food insecurity don’t exist in Canada?” 2.7 Million Canadians are food insecure”. Do Something! Visit http://www.relief-works.org/ today.”

4)   A new single has been released by Nader Khan in support of the campaign – absolutely FREE. (http://naderkhan.com/2010/08/15/the-letter/) Please download and share it with others.

5)   Please donate generously…. Every dollar makes a difference – $5 is enough to pay for 2 meals…  How many meals will you share this Ramadan?

As you approach the time to break your fast this month, please consider what a tremendous difference you can make in the lives of the hungry in your own neighbourhoods, for whom hunger is not a consequence of choice.

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The Beloved Prophet once said: “He is not a true believer, who goes to bed with a full belly while his neighbour remains hungry.” For the increasingly burgeoning masses who find themselves heading towards the foodbanks for help, almost half of whom are children, we can’t afford to do nothing about it.

During this blessed holy month, we get to experience by choice and for a limited time, what 2.7 Million people live with everyday in this beautiful country of ours, our Canada, our home and native land.  This Ramadan, let’s manifest The Prophet’s concern for the wellbeing of others by making a difference in someone’s life.

Thank You.

The FeedMe Team.

http://www.relief-works.org/

July 15, 2010

NCAO launches annual food drive

By: Phil Ambroziak

A cultural celebration, such as this one from 2009, will serve to officially wrap up the annual Nepalese Canadian Association of Ottawa (NCAO) food drive, which gets underway this month. This year's celebration is planned for Andrew Haydon Park on July 31.

It’s all about giving back to the community.

This week marks the launch of the annual Nepalese Canadian Association of Ottawa (NCAO) food drive, which has been benefiting the Ottawa Food Bank since 2003.

“The Nepalese community in Ottawa is not a big community there are maybe only 70 to 75 families,” explained Krishna H. Gautam, coordinator of the NCAO food drive. “We don’t have a very long history here most families came in the 1990’s and I came here in 2001.”

That was also the year in which the NCAO was formed and, since its inception, the group has been involved in a number of community-oriented projects. One of its more popular efforts has been the food drive campaign to benefit the Ottawa Food Bank.

In past years, the NCAO has collected more than $46,000 worth of food and cash for the food bank and it’s ready to add even more to that number this year.

“Volunteers started dropping flyers throughout local neighbourhoods last week informing people as to what day this week we would be coming door-to-door to collect food or cash donations,” Mr. Gautam said. “Sometimes, if people are not going to be home when we are in the neighbourhood, they will leave a bag of food on their doorstep with our flyer attached to it.”

In 2003, the food drive was restricted to the Barrhaven area, but has since grown to include Centrepointe, South Keys, Westboro, Kanata and other areas throughout the city.

According to Mr. Gautam, the success the food drive has generated thus far was made possible through the support of these communities, as well as local artists (who perform at a special celebration at the conclusion of each year’s drive), volunteers, businesses and the media.

“This gives the message that a small charity event organized by a small community is quickly becoming a popular multi-community charity event in Ottawa,” an NCAO news release on the food drive reads. “All these achievements have encouraged us to further promote this program.”

According to Mr. Gautam, the NCAO had two objectives in mind when it originally decided to organize a food drive seven years ago.

“The first objective was to help hungry people because there are so many people in need,” he said. “Secondly, we wanted to develop a volunteer-base in our community and this was an easy way to do just that it also allows people from our community to show off their talents during our annual celebration.”

As part of this year’s celebration, the NCAO will present multicultural dance and music shows from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. More than 75 accomplished and aspiring performers representing more than 13 countries take to the stage at Andrew Haydon Park in Nepean, to demonstrate their talents.

All proceeds from these shows will also be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank, which provides emergency food assistance to 43,000 people per month.

For more information, visit www.nepalese.ca.

pambroziak@theemc.ca

July 16, 2010

CFL alum raising food for those in need

By: St. Catherine’s Standard

Hunger doesn’t take a holiday.

It’s true that food banks tend to be more aggressive about collecting donations around the big holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. But the fact is people need to eat year round.

“People don’t often think about the summer, but the need is still there,” said Cory Ward, a unit manager at Purolator. “That’s why we are doing this.”

Ward was talking about the annual Tackle Hunger program the company runs each year. Partnered with the Canadian Football League, Purolator hosts events in cities around the country to collect donations for local food banks, Ward said. On Saturday, the program hits St. Catharines at two Niagara Spears minor football games.

“We did an event recently in Niagara Falls, and this time we are in St. Catharines,” Ward said. “We normally don’t do this until later in the summer and into the fall, but the need is so great right now and people are really hurting. So we decided to do it a little bit early because people need help now.”

To draw people to West Park School where the games are held, former Hamilton Tiger-Cats players Brian Hutchins and Ralph Scholz will be on hand to sign autographs and collect donations of non-perishable food items for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

Ward said the Purolator crew and CFL alumni will be at the school from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The kickoff times for the two Spears games being played are 1 p.m. 4 p.m.

“We’re going to be there all day,” Ward said.

Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care, said recent hot temperatures are putting more stress on those with limited resources. Use of air conditioners pump up electricity costs, and a growing number of poor and homeless people are showing up at the food bank looking for clean water to drink.

For more information on Tackle Hunger, go online to www.cfl.ca/purolator.

glafleche@stcatharinesstandard.ca

July 14, 2010

KTW’s very own ‘community hero’

By: Kendall Walters – Kamloops This Week

The work of Dale Bass (centre) inspired Kari Smith (right) of the Kamloops Food Bank to pen a letter, which in turn led to Greg Symes (right) and Canadian Linen Services to donated $2,500 to the local food bank. MELISSA LAMPMAN PHOTO/KTW

Dale Bass is the sort of reporter you want on your side. She’s the sort of writer who could break you with a few well-placed words.

She’s also the sort of writer who could make you if she wanted to.

Bass is on the side of the Kamloops Food Bank. At least, that’s how the organization’s event and fundraising co-ordinator Kari Smith sees it.

Smith sent a letter to Canadian Linen and Uniform Service earlier this year, describing a community hero. Her choice was none other than KTW’s own Bass.

But, why would a reporter be the hero of a food bank?

Because this particular reporter is the champion of the underdog, always keeping important causes in the spotlight.

She’s the one out front writing about issues most people don’t even want to talk about. After the new year is rung in, she’s the first one to call the food bank to find out how much stock is left.

And, long after Christmas, when the food bank has slipped from the public eye, Bass is the reporter helping to organize fundraisers and keeping the agency in the minds of residents.

Smith didn’t know she had entered a contest; she only knew each missive received by Canadian Linens meant the company would donate $25 to Food Banks Canada.

But, her impassioned letter about Bass won a contest Smith didn’t even know existed.

And, yet again, the reporter who never rests helped out the Kamloops Food Bank, this time by winning it $2,500.

Now, because Bass would throw a fit if it was left out, one more gentle reminder: The food bank is always taking donations, especially now as it runs its annual Christmas in July fundraiser.

No wonder Smith calls Bass “the food bank’s angel.”

July 14, 2010

Waterloo Region food banks could feel pinch of Loblaws strike

By: Greg Mercer

A potential strike at the region’s largest supermarket chain is threatening to cut into food bank donations at a time when supplies for the needy are already low.

The Loblaw’s chain operates at least 18 grocery stores within the region under its Zehrs, No-Frills, Valu-Mart, Real Canadian Superstore and Wholesale Club names.

If those stores were closed by a strike, the steady flow of donations that food banks and soup kitchens have come to rely on could slow down dramatically.

The Loblaw chain accounts for about 65 per cent of the 2,000 pounds of food the Waterloo Region Food Bank gets from local grocery stores every week.

“That’s probably our most regular source of donations … and anything that affects donations is concerning,” said Ruth Friendship-Keller, manager of community partnerships at the food bank.

Thousands of customers provide food through regular campaigns organized by the grocery stores, which encourage people to donate some of their purchases to the food bank.

“If there are picket lines, it would impede customers who normally put donations into the donation bins at the storefront,” Friendship-Keller said.

Scott Penner, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union Local 1977, said the union wouldn’t want consumers to cross picket lines to make donations to the food bank. He suggested they could find other ways to donate to their food.

“Could it potentially have a negative impact on the food bank? Yes, sadly, but it would be an unintended consequence,” he said. “But we support the food bank fully.”

Penner said the union would consider bringing a trailer to picket lines and asking consumers to leave donations there, which it would deliver to the food bank.

Calls to Loblaw’s head office were not returned.

One of the food bank’s largest recipients, the House of Friendship, said about half of the food in its emergency hampers comes from the Loblaw chain. The grocer provides the agency with bread, fruit, vegetables and other products near the end of their shelf life. It occasionally gets meat and canned goods, too.

“Loblaws makes a significant portion of the food that we give out,” said Matt Cooper, co-ordinator of the agency’s food hamper program. “We wouldn’t have to close up shop if Loblaw’s started striking, but it would have a significant impact on the level of service that we are able to provide people.”

The House of Friendship hands out an average of 145 food hampers to the unemployed, new immigrants and low-income families in the region every day. Each hamper is designed to last between three to five days.

Though local farms will donate produce when it’s in season, the grocery chains are the most consistent source of donated produce year-round.

Read more: Waterloo Region food banks could feel pinch of Loblaws strike

July 13, 2010

100 Mile a distribution centre

By: Ken Alexander — 100 Mile House Free Press

The 100 Mile House Food Bank Society does more than just operate the local food bank.

Society president Bob Hicks says the local food bank serves as one of the four distribution hubs in the province. Two to three truckloads of food from Toronto are dropped off in a month, he adds. “Whenever they get 20 skids, they ship out a load.”

Then the local food bank distributes the skids to Kamloops, Clearwater, Bella Coola, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, Burns Lake, Hazelton, Kitimat, Terrace, and Prince Rupert.

Companies such as Christie’s and Kraft donate the crates of food, he adds.

“It’s all donated; it don’t cost us nothing. Food Banks Canada even pays for the shipping.”

It comes to 100 Mile House and the local volunteers split it up and distribute it to the other food banks. The local food bank gets to keep 10 per cent of the shipment to help offset the costs of being a hub, Hicks notes.

“When we ship it out, the trucking companies charge the food banks where it’s going $75 a skid, which is a very cheap rate,” he says, adding normally the skid of food is worth up to $4,000.

The local food bank buys vegetables or whatever the local grocers offer during case-lot sales but in significantly larger quantities than a private citizen could purchase. However, they rely heavily on donations.

Pointing to a skid of unlabelled cans of spaghetti, he says Heinz was producing for a company that changed its mind and didn’t want it,

so the food bank ended up with 24 skids of it and distributed to the region’s food banks.

While the society has to pay for a large facility to house the incoming and outgoing skids, it does provide another source of foodstuffs that might not otherwise be available.

July 12, 2010

Kinsmen hatch donation plan

Prison Farms

By: Ian Elliot, The Whig-Standard

If Kingston’s prison farms close, the local food bank won’t be left holding an empty basket of eggs.

The Partners in Mission Food Bank receives about $4,000 worth of eggs from the local prison farms each year. With those farms now being threatened with closure by Correctional Service Canada, a local service club has stepped up to soften the blow.

Food bank director Sandy Singers says the Kingston Kinsmen club has pledged $5,000 a year to the food bank over the next three years to make up for any shortfall should the federal government close the farms.

“The Kinsmen had heard about our situation and just contacted me out of the blue to say, ‘We want to do something about that,’ ” Singers said. “We’re very grateful to them for this.”

The food bank has received eggs for years as the battery flock at the farms was built up, taking surplus eggs as well as those that failed to meet the federal government’s grading standards. Singers said the donation means the food bank can use money in its tight budget to buy other goods that its clients rely upon.

“We took eggs that were too small and those that were a little too big,” Singers said.

“And let me tell you, they are great eggs.”

At one point, the prison farms donated so many eggs to the food bank that the Ottawa food bank sent a truck down to take away the eggs that the local food bank couldn’t use, Singers said.

While he hopes the farms do not ultimately close, Singers said he was grateful for the donation and that the money from the Kinsmen will continue to stock the shelves of the food bank for people who rely on it.

The federal government announced last year that it plans to close the six prison farms it operates across Canada, including those on the grounds of the minimum- security Pittsburgh and Frontenac institutions.

The government claims the farms cost $4 million a year to operate and do not teach inmates any useful job skills, a claim that has sparked a furious outcry from farm groups and Kingston citizens.

Those opposed to the closure have vowed to put the farms under 24-hour surveillance and block the gates if the government attempts to remove livestock or equipment.

On Friday, a delegation from the Save Our Prison Farms group met with Corrections commissioner Don Head in an attempt to get him to reverse the decision to close the farms, but they said after the closed meeting that he refused to do so.

Activists have hired a lawyer to file an injunction in federal court arguing that the government had a duty to consult both inmates and the affected communities before closing the farms and it did neither.

The lawsuit also argues Corrections has a duty to provide meaningful work to inmates and closing the farms would leave a quarter of the inmates at the two local institutions unemployed.

The lawsuit is expected to have its first hearing either later this week or early next week.

ielliot@thewhig.com

July 11, 2010

Edgar Burton ‘defined what was best in Sudbury’

Founder of Christmas food drive dies

By: Rachael Punch

Edgar Burton had the members of the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment behind him during the 2005 Greater City of Sudbury Employee and Business Food Drive.

Edgar Burton — the man who started the Business Employee Christmas Food Drive and helped it grow into the largest Christmas campaign in Canada per capita — has died.

Burton, who died Friday at Sudbury Regional Hospital, was 56. He was retired from his job in the Inco divisional shops, where he worked for more than 36 years.

Burton started the food drive 23 years ago.

“The world is a better place because of Edgar and Sudbury, in particular, is a better place because of Edgar,” said an emotional Greater Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci.

“He certainly showed his compassion and his caring for the people he served in many, many different ways, not only in the collection of food. Edgar did so much more to motivate people, to bring out the goodness in people and he challenged people to be like him — caring, compassionate and with an incredible social conscience,” Bartolucci said.

“That goes back to our early days together at St. David School when he, with his daughters, decided to come up with this wonderful idea to help those who were less fortunate.

“We will miss him in a very real way.”

The Sudbury Food Bank has decided to rename the 2010 Christmas Campaign The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive and Kids Helping Kids.

“It was very important to him that we incorporate kids,” said Geoffrey Lougheed, chair of the Sudbury Food Bank.

Lougheed said Burton was a man who “really defined what is best in Sudbury.”

“His life has been devoted to caring and sharing,” Lougheed said.