The Creston Valley Gleaners Society has made a substantial donation to local food organizations, strengthening community food security and sustainability programs in the region.
A $10,000 donation will support the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition’s (CVFAC) long-running Harvest Share program, while $40,000 will help Fields Forward Society launch its Feeding Futures initiative, aimed at providing healthy meals to vulnerable students in the Creston Valley.
-Photo courtesy Creston Valley Gleaners Society
The Creston Valley Food Action Coalition’s Harvest Share program coordinates volunteers to harvest surplus produce from local properties, distributing it to volunteers, property owners, and community organizations. Every year, Harvest Share distributes thousands of pounds of fresh produce to schools, the Gleaners Food Bank, and other local organizations.
“We are so pleased to be recipients of this donation from the Gleaners Society,” said Amanda Goodman Lee, Chair of the CVFAC Board of Directors.
“Gleaners shares our vision of supporting food sustainability within the Creston Valley, and has been key in distributing produce donated through Harvest Share. Their support will be essential in the continuation of this wonderful program, and we are grateful to have such a dedicated and active group serving our community.”
The $40,000 donation to Fields Forward will assist in the launch of the Feeding Futures program, managed through the Kootenay Farms Food Hub. The program will provide healthy meals and snacks to students identified as vulnerable, starting in 2025. Fields Forward is working alongside other funders to build the infrastructure needed to make the program a reality, focusing on utilizing locally grown produce in meal planning and preparation.
-Photo courtesy Creston Valley Gleaners Society
“This donation means so much to us,” said Tanya Wall, Executive Director of both CVFAC and Fields Forward.
“It is pivotal in our vision of building a successful program to provide healthy food to our community. The province and other granting bodies are excited to see that we are working together, and we are eager to build the Feeding Futures program into the future. We thank the Gleaners Society for their generosity and commitment to our mission.”
Fields Forward’s partnership with CVFAC and the Gleaners Society is strengthening the region’s food systems. With similar mandates focused on local food security and supporting farmers, the three organizations have come together to enhance their impact on the Creston Valley.
“It is exciting for us to be working closely with the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition,” said Jeff Lee, Chair of the Fields Forward Board of Directors.
“Our organizations have similar mandates, and we both care deeply about local food issues and sustainability. It has been positive for us all to bring our organizations closer together, and to leverage our strengths for a more impactful community. The donation from the Gleaners Society will bring energy to both of our programs, and we are excited to see the long-term benefits for the Valley.”
The Gleaners Society’s generous donations are an important step forward for these community-based initiatives, helping to ensure that more local residents have access to fresh, healthy food, while also fostering a sustainable food system in the region.
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