Earthwise Agassiz has launched a new initiative to fight back against food insecurity.
The non-profit organization recently announced the launch fo the Earthwise Harvest Box Program, a project that offers weekly boxes of freshly harvested produce from the local Earthwise Community Sharing Farm. The program launched back in August and since then, at least 10 boxes have gone out each week to those in need.
The Harvest Box is filled with produce appropriate for the season, including staples like potatoes, carrots, onions and tomatoes. They are free of charge to partnering agencies like Agassiz-Harrison Community Services, Family Parenting Place, The Friendship House and the Seabird Island community. The current run of the Harvest Box Program will go until at least November and will start up again in the spring.
The Earthwise Community Sharing Farm is located at 6031 Golf Road in Agassiz. It was first built to provide residents with a space to grow food and share the fruits of their labour with others. The half-acre sharing farm is a pilot project of the Agassiz-Harrison Food Coalition, a group of local organizations working on sustainable solutions to food security issues.
The Community Farm Initiative broke ground in January after receiving about $86,000 in federal funding through the Community Services and Recovery Fund, as announced by Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Brad Vis earlier this year. The Agassiz-Harrison Museum and the Sq'ewlets First Nation also received funding this year from that same program.
"Earthwise Society is dedicated to increasing awareness of food security and building initiatives that enhance food access within our community," said Mark McLaughlin, one of Earthwise's community farmers. "The Community Sharing Farm is the hub of these efforts. It provides a space for volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and, of course, the production of our Harvest Boxes."
If you are interested in getting involved, call 604-946-9828, visit earthwisesociety.bc.ca or email community@earthwisesociety.bc.ca.
Earthwise Society is based in both Delta and Agassiz. It's a non-profit dedicated not only to addressing food security, but also to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and protecting urban-based habitat areas.