Keeping Shelves Stocked at Valley Food Bank
Food inflation can be particularly hard on food banks, a double-edged sword that increases the number of people who need their services, while making it more expensive for the food bank to meet the growing demand.
“Our numbers have doubled in the past two years. It’s a huge thing for our community right now,” says Monica Grant, Executive Director at Valley Food Bank in Woodstock, NB. “The cost of everything is going up, but their paychecks aren’t. People have unexpected expenses—life just happens.”
Aside from one provincial grant that comes to them annually, Valley Food Bank sustains itself on the generosity of its community and whatever other grants they’re able to qualify for. So, when Stomping Grounds came to their attention, they were eager to toss their hat in the ring.
“We have a community partnership with Hartland Agromart, and Andy Brennan put in an application to the Stomping Grounds program on our behalf,” says Grant.
“Initiatives like that are so important because they let us keep necessities stocked, things like fruits and veggies, meats and bread. They help keep our pantry full,” says Grant.
The Valley Food Bank helps to feed thousands of people throughout the Upper River Valley, covering an area from Nackawic to River de Chute, New Brunswick. In addition to the pantry, it houses several community support programs, provides support for the unhoused population in the area and works with 14 schools in the area to provide breakfast for students.
Gavin Lunn, Area Business Manager for ADAMA Canada East, visited Valley Food Bank to deliver the “cheque” and see all the different community support options at work.
“Standing there in the Valley Food Bank, it was a bit of a full circle moment for me,” says Lunn. “My job is to make sure farmers have what they need to grow our food, and then I got to be on the other end, helping deliver it to some of those that need it most.”
About ADAMA
ADAMA Canada has been supplying the Canadian agricultural community with crop protection products for more than a decade. We offer an innovative approach to ag and proactively seek opportunities to listen to what our customers, experts and colleagues have to say, taking their inputs and learning from their experience. We combine these insights with our expertise and respond with new products, solutions, services, tailored commercial policies, or information that is relevant to them. We are passionate about agriculture and approach what we do as much more than just a job. Our straightforward, get-it-done attitude helps us stay focused on what we care about most: helping our customers create more sustainable, profitable businesses. ADAMA is the seventh largest crop protection company globally with sales in 100 countries and has the largest portfolio of any company with over 270 active ingredients.