The Regina Food Bank (RFB) has announced a new initiative to address food insecurity in the community, with funding from Farm Credit Canada (FCC). The initiative will focus on containerized agriculture to increase the capacity to secure and distribute food. The RFB Vice-President Community, David Froh, highlighted the challenges of meeting the increased demand for food, as they have gone from feeding 6000 people to 16,000 people a month. The RFB has also seen a significant increase in spending on food, from $90,000 to $1 million a year, requiring strategic partnerships and sourcing.
The RFB CEO and president, John Bailey, emphasized the need for the organization to start doing things differently in order to address the growing need in the community. One way they plan to do this is by growing their own produce internally, with the first harvest anticipated in the early fall of the current year. The FCC President and CEO, Justine Hendricks, sees the initiative as an innovative approach that could have a significant impact not only locally in Regina, but also for food banks across Canada. Modular growing is a relatively new concept, and if successful, it could change how food banks support their communities in terms of accessing fresh produce.
One of the key benefits of the initiative is the potential for economic development in the community. The RFB is excited about the possibility of creating more positions through this project and serving as an economic catalyst for the region. The initiative has the potential to not only provide fresh produce to those in need, but also to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth. The RFB is hopeful that this new approach to addressing food insecurity will have a lasting impact on the community and serve as a model for other food banks in Canada.
The partnership with FCC underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing food insecurity and finding innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for food assistance. By combining resources and expertise, the RFB and FCC are working towards a common goal of providing nutritious food to those in need and building a more resilient food system. The initiative represents a shift towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient approach to food distribution, with a focus on local production and community engagement.
Overall, the Regina Food Bank’s new initiative to adopt containerized agriculture in partnership with Farm Credit Canada represents a significant step towards addressing food insecurity in the community. By investing in innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, the RFB is working towards building a more resilient and sustainable food system that can meet the growing demand for food assistance. The initiative has the potential to not only provide fresh produce to those in need, but also to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the region. Through collaboration and innovation, the RFB and FCC are leading the way in finding new ways to fight hunger and support the community.
