Achi news desk-
In response to the demand faced by rural food banks, a non-profit grassroots initiative has emerged to bridge the gap between farming families and those in need in their community.
The Foothills Farm Table Collective is the brainchild of ex-keeper Jay Cross and co-owner of Bluerock Gallery, Shelly Faulkner.
“We felt a need in the community and taking advantage of the generosity of the farmers and ranchers in the foothills, we realized that people really loved the idea,” said Cross.
“To be part of a group, where people do good things for friends and neighbours, we need more of that in the world.”
The group’s first donation came from Brenda Otto of Tangle Ridge Ranch west of Okotoks. Tangle Ridge donated 600 pounds (272 kilograms) of locally produced frozen beef.
“I love giving back, my whole family does. We break our hearts when we imagine small children and elderly people and people unable to work, without fresh meat,” said Otto.
“Unfortunately, non-perishable items are sometimes not all that nutritious. We thought fresh protein would be a great thing to add to people’s diets.”
The Okotoks Food Bank says the donation comes at a key time. The agency serves nearly 400 families each week and acts as a hub for other food banks as far south as Claresholm.
Executive director Bente Yanota says that just like food banks in larger cities, she is seeing increasing demand.
“My shelves are starting to look a little bare compared to previous years because the demand is so high,” Yanota said.
“(The group’s) donations are so beneficial, so we would like 45 per cent of our hamper (we) to donate as fresh items, healthy items, dairy products and meat.”
News of the group’s mission spread on social media, attracting the attention of other rangers.
“I know a couple of our friends have seen it on social media and they want to join. They’re kind people,” Otto said.
Cross says the group shows the power of community action.
“The next donation will be some frozen chickens from a local producer, (we have) pork and lamb lined up and some other beef producers I’m talking to,” Cross said.
“The idea seems to tap into that spirit of wanting to support people in the community.”
Currently, donors receive a tax receipt from the food bank.
The group has applied for charitable status, which would allow it to donate its tax receipts and accept cash donations, which Cross says he would use to offset the cost of transport he pays on his loss at the moment.
