Executive Director Claire Legaspi of Midwest Food Resources, which runs a community garden in North Battleford. The organization is holding its annual general meeting and barbecue Aug. 10. (submitted photo/Claire Legaspi)

By Angela Brown

Community health

Midwest Food Resources hopes to develop another community garden plot; AGM coming up

Aug 1, 2019 | 2:09 PM

A North Battleford-based non-profit wants more families to have access to fresh nutritious foods.

That’s why Midwest Food Resources (MFR) plans to further develop its community garden in North Battleford, so more people can grow their own fruits and vegetables.

The organization will give an update on its work at its annual general meeting on Aug. 10.

“It’s a summary of what we have been doing last year and what we hope to be able to accomplish this coming year,” Executive Director Claire Legaspi said.

”It’s basically to offer programs that enhance food security and better nutrition in the Battlefords, Meadow Lake, Lloydminster and the surrounding areas.”

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The MFR offers a number of programs including its Fresh Food Box program that runs throughout the year.

“We make fresh fruits and vegetables available to people, particularly to low-income families,” Legaspi said. “Because we buy in bulk, we pass on whatever discount bulk-buying allows us to make, to all of the people who buy the Fresh Food Boxes. So it’s our way of helping make fresh food more accessible to people.”

The organization has three plots at its community garden on Gagne Avenue in North Battleford. It uses one plot to grow fresh produce for its Fresh Food Box program. The second plot contains about 14 sub-plots currently used by North Battleford residents. Both plots are mostly used to plant organic vegetables. It plans to develop the third plot in the future for more space for the community to use.

“We’re looking for volunteers who might be interested in helping us prepare the third plot for planting within the next two years,” Legaspi said.

The MFR also helps families by showing them how to have their own garden, and how to cook healthy meals at home. There is also a youth cooking class.

“For the kids’ cooking classes, hopefully we generate more awareness with those who participate in the programs of the value of having vegetables and fruits in your diet,” Legaspi added. “At the same time we teach the kids to cook. In the longer term that makes them more independent.”

She said they will be able to provide better nutrition later when they have their own families as well.

The organization also partners with the Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre, so newcomers can become more familiar with Canadian cuisine and what produce is grown here.

Legaspi is hoping for a good turnout for the AGM and invites anyone interested in becoming a board member to attend.

“We hope to have a more active board so we can run more programs,” she said.

She is also encouraging potential partners to take part, to find out more about the organization’s projects.

The AGM will take place at 5 p.m. outdoors at the Midwest Food Resources community garden on Gagne Avenue in North Battleford. A barbecue is also planned. In the event of rain, the meeting will be moved to St. Andre church hall.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

The organization will also discuss how it plans to expand its planting programs for its upcoming year.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow