The first gleaning project by the South Cariboo Food Security Committee (SCFSC) was a great success with more than 500 pounds of potatoes, beets, carrots and cabbage being distributed to families in need during the past three months.
“Our clients were grateful to receive fresh vegetables since the food hampers they regularly receive contain non-perishable canned food. It was much enjoyed by all,” says Sylvia Peniuk, 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre office co-ordinator and SCFSC member.
It has been wonderful for the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre to both provide produce to families and also cook with this produce for lunch for the prenatal infant toddler group on Thursdays, says Nicole Arnold, CFEC home visitor/facilitator.
“Dishes have included borscht, shepherd’s pie, roasted vegetable salad and scalloped potatoes. Families have learned how to make nutritious, low-cost meals from these root vegetables, which grow well in the South Cariboo.”
The SCFSC thanks Paul and Cindy Whitehead for offering their surplus produce from their vegetable garden and Ann and Rod Granger for providing us a root cellar to store the vegetables and all the volunteers who helped with the harvest.
The SCFSC members hope to undertake more gleaning events in 2014 to gather surplus produce and distribute it to families and individuals in need.
Folks who expect to have surplus garden produce this year are asked to contact Debbra Williams at the CFEC at 250-395-5155.