It is no doubt that the cost of fruits and vegetables on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast has increased, but a Campbell River group is looking to change that.
The Good Food Box program is being offered by Greenways Land Trust, through a partnership with LUSH Valley. It began in 2020 as a way to deliver fresh food to people with little contact.
However, according to outreach and food security coordinator Jeff Groat, it is now used to help bring costs down for those looking for fresh food. Groat says the program brings fresh produce that are in season in different sized boxes to suit people’s needs.
“The produce is all very local and very fresh, high-quality stuff,” said Groat. “We don’t ask for any proof of income; the program is very much designed to remove any boundaries to providing access to local fruits and vegetables.”
There’s a large box offered for $30 or a medium sized box offered for $20, according to Groat. He adds that because the fruits and vegetables are in season, there is no choice in what comes each week.
However, that can lead to some creative choices for what can be made each week.
“There is a little bit of mystery and surprise in terms of what you get every week. But also, it’s the standard mix of good vegetables,” he said. “It helps a bit with meal planning if you have some fruits and vegetables in the fridge.”
Groat says they have a large capacity to provide food for people, however, they have had low numbers coming out of the summer. However, he says during the pandemic they were packing hundreds of boxes a week for people all over the city.
The program runs on a bi-weekly order and pick-up schedule and your orders can be picked up at the trust’s office at 1995-C Fir St., Campbell River.
