Windsor farmers' market program has diverted 430 kilograms in excess food to people in need

Just two weeks in, a new Windsor farmers' market program has helped put more than 430 kilograms of excess food into the hands of people in need. 

The Downtown Windsor BIA's Good Greens Food Reclamation program was possible, in part, by a $20,000 grant from Libro Credit Union, according to officials.

Organizers said they hope it can expand next year to include baked foods and other products. 

The program sees the BIA paying farmers for the produce. It's then sold to the program at cost, said the BIA's executive director Debi Croucher.

"If not for the grant, that food would end up in waste," said Croucher.  "Those vendors would obviously not have been compensated for their costs and their expenses. So it's a win-win."

"Everybody's winning from the vendors to the agencies to those that are most at risk in our community."

Here's how it works

After the Windsor farmers' market each week, the BIA purchases the remaining produce at cost from the vendors. 

Volunteers then pack up the boxes and distribute them to four local organizations: Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, Welcome Centre Shelter for Women, Downtown Mission of Windsor and Salvation Army. 

"It's been an added bonus to our food bank, as well as to the meals," said Laurie Musson, the director of  food services at the Downtown Mission.

"We put out 300 or so meals a day and we see about 2,200 individuals a month at our food bank. So it's allowing everybody to have a little bit of some fresh produce in their everyday diet. It's been wonderful."

It means the produce will reach people in need, like those living in poverty in the downtown, said Croucher.

"Our farmers were very, very happy to participate in this and our community agencies we're extremely excited to be able to hear that they be able to get some great produce as well," said Steve Green, the general manager of the Downtown Windsor Farmers' Market.

"I mean it just goes to show you how much produce really does go out out the door, out of the market every season here ... and there's more where that came from."

The program will run until Oct. 28, the end of the current farmers' market season.

Croucher says next year they're hoping to expand to include baked goods and other prepared foods. 

"A little more variety,  particularly early on in the season when there's not that much fresh produce available," Croucher said.