Farmer Jane Food Drive 2024

Farmer Jane Food Drive 2024

From September 12 to October 25, 2024, Farmer Jane has a goal to donate food and funds totalling 100,000 meals. Since 2021, Farmer Jane and our partners have donated more than 130,000 meals to Food Banks in both provinces. 

Let’s talk a little about food…

Inflation has taken a toll on food bank recipients. Prices continue to rise for nearly everything we buy, particularly food. Regarding food inflation in Canada in 2024, food prices are projected to increase by 2.5% to 4.5%. The average family of four is expected to spend $16,297.20 on food, an increase of up to $701.79 from the previous year. Factors driving food inflation, such as extreme weather events, global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, high energy costs, and a weaker Canadian dollar compared to the U.S., are largely beyond our control. What we can control, however, is utilizing our resources to create more affordable ways for people to get food. 

More than 40% of those dependent on these resources are children, and the average food bank user now visits up to 10 times a year, a trend seen in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Additionally, nearly one in four recent users of Harvest Manitoba’s food bank reported needing assistance despite having a job, an increase of 50% from last year.

These statistics highlight the critical state of food security in our community. Our neighbours, friends, colleagues, and family may rely on these organizations. Addressing this issue takes a collective effort, which is why Farmer Jane is committed to supporting these essential services and the people they help.

A little information about our local Food Banks

Harvest Manitoba

Harvest Manitoba gathers and distributes 13 million pounds of healthy, nutritious food each year to feed hungry Manitobans. From their Winnipeg warehouse, they assemble Harvest Hampers, distributed to over 108,000 people each month—including children, families, and adults in need. As the backbone of Manitoba’s food network, Harvest supplies food year-round to independent food banks across the province, ensuring no one goes hungry. They are Canada’s fourth-largest food distributor and the only organization of its kind in Manitoba. Volunteers contribute the equivalent of 32 full-time employees annually to make this possible. Without the unwavering support of kind-hearted people like them, the organization wouldn’t have lasted 39 years or helped as many people as they have.

For every dollar donated, they can leverage $10 worth of food, maximizing the impact of each contribution and significantly enhancing their ability to provide for those in need. This remarkable efficiency ensures that even small donations can make a substantial difference, helping to stretch resources further and feed more people in the community. Because of their channels for distribution and critical partnerships, they are in a value-creating situation and will continue to develop bargaining and purchasing power with the more support they receive. Harvest Manitoba addresses food insecurity through a comprehensive approach that includes collecting and distributing food, providing client-centred long-term solutions, and advocating for systemic change. Their work begins with collecting nutritious food from various sources and distributing it to those in need across the province. However, their commitment goes beyond immediate relief; they focus on offering long-term solutions tailored to the unique needs of their clients, helping them achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

In addition to direct services, Harvest Manitoba plays a vital role in advocacy and public education, raising awareness about the root causes of hunger and informing policy to create lasting change. They provide support to more than 380 food agency partners. These partnerships help extend their reach and impact in addressing food insecurity. This multi-faceted approach reflects the diverse communities they serve, the areas in which they operate, and the wide-ranging support they receive from donors, volunteers, and partners. By embodying the values and needs of their community, Harvest Manitoba continues to significantly impact the lives of those who rely on their services.

 

 

Regina Food Bank

The staff, volunteers, and donors of the Regina Food Bank unite to feed hope by distributing food, the ultimate connector that brings people together. As a charitable, community-based organization, the Regina Food Bank fights food insecurity through nutritious food distribution, education, and support programs. They also help build a fair, caring, and dynamic community, restoring their neighbours’ dignity, health and hope. With no financial cost or eligibility criteria for receiving food hampers, they rally around the city, strengthening Regina. The Regina Food Bank runs an efficient organization with low overhead and high impact, making it a trusted partner for corporate and individual donors, and they take great pride in their responsibility as stewards of the community’s food and funds.

Moving forward, their strategy continues to be centred around improving access to food by sourcing healthy options, managing assets effectively, and inspiring generosity within the community. The aim is to activate the city and invest in strategic partnerships while managing risk and innovating delivery methods. To achieve this, they attract and retain a leading-edge team and invest in their development, ensuring they can continue to meet the mission with excellence.

Their newest facility may be the most impactful of all. The BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Food Hub, which opened on August 16th, offers programs and various food choices to empower our neighbours. Designed to resemble a grocery store, the Hub aims to reduce stigma while providing free food. For the first time in 40 years, clients can select the food that best meets their family’s needs. This is a huge step forward regarding more accessible access to critical food resources and has already made a significant difference to many families in Regina.

Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre

The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre is a forward-thinking and collaborative organization dedicated to tackling food insecurity and addressing the root causes of poverty in our community through a systems-based approach. They commit to creating a food-secure environment where everyone can access safe, affordable, and nutritious food. As innovative leaders, the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre deeply fosters an inclusive, healthy, and empowered community, ensuring that all individuals can thrive.

A balanced diet provides the energy and nutrients needed to live whole, active lives. At the heart of their mission is the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, which is why the Emergency Food Hampers are thoughtfully designed to meet this need. These hampers include a carefully selected combination of protein-rich foods, grain products, and fresh vegetables and fruits, ensuring recipients receive a well-rounded supply of nutrients. Through their initiative, they have provided over 2,880,000 pounds of food to the community through Emergency Food Hampers, contributed over $12,290,000 back into the community through their tax clinic, and grown over 11,500 pounds of food through the Garden Patch program in Saskatoon.

Whenever possible, they prioritize including ingredients that can be easily combined to create wholesome meals, such as pairing pasta with tomato sauce. This not only supports balanced nutrition but also allows individuals the opportunity to prepare meals that suit their tastes and preferences. Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre is committed to offering the community access to good food and, as much as possible, the freedom to choose what that looks like. Through these efforts, they strive to empower our community to maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

 

Our Partners

We couldn’t have made this possible without the support of our licensed producer partners, who generously donated to our cause to help us reach our goal. Thank you to our signature partners:

These companies’ values align with ours here at Farmer Jane, and we couldn’t be more proud to have partnered with companies like them. In addition to our signature sponsors, we would also like to thank Coterie, Space Race, Ayurcann and SNDL who are our Brown Bag lunch sponsors. Kief Cannabis, Auxly, Maq and Lineage Distribution have stepped up to support the cause as our Snack Pack sponsors. 

How can YOU help?

Starting in September and throughout October, drop off any non-perishable foods at any of our Farmer Jane locations. Raid your pantry for those cans of beans, unopened jars of peanut butter, or extra boxes of rice you may have stashed away. Donating these non-perishable items will make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Supporting any of the brands listed above ensures that your contribution is meaningful and impactful. Plus, you’ll be satisfied knowing you’re making a significant difference with your donation—a smoking experience you can truly feel good about.

In these challenging times, the importance of community support and the impact of even the smallest donations cannot be overstated. As we launch the Farmer Jane Food Drive 2024, we invite you to come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours, friends, and fellow community members facing food insecurity. Whether you contribute a can of beans or purchase from our generous partners, your support can provide hope, nourishment, and comfort. Together, we can drive the delivery of 100,000 meals to local families in need.

Let us remember that it takes a village to heal, and by participating in this initiative, you become an integral part of that village, fostering a more caring and dynamic community. 💚

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