Kimberley-Cranbrook Food Hub is working on some exciting projects to help tackle food insecurity and support local growers.
Outreach coordinator Christel Hagn presented some of the hub's latest initiatives at a Cranbrook History Centre Ed Talk on Sept. 12.
The hub held its second annual seed giveaway this year. It donated vegetable garden starter kits to 50 people to grow in their backyards and on apartment balconies. Each kit had packets of lettuce, carrots, herbs and beet seeds donated by Top Crop, seedlings donated by the local community garden, pots and a bag of soil.
Locals were able to visit growers and food producers to help pick produce through the hub's Help A Farmer Series. In August, the hub hosted a garlic scape harvest at We Be Farmin' just outside of Cranbrook with participation from 13 people.
The series continues into the fall as well, with two upcoming public harvests for tomatoes and potatoes.
"The purpose is just to support our farmers because it's just such hard work to farm the land and provide food and it's not always very profitable. Many hands make light work," said Hagn.
"It's just a really great way to build relationships with farmers and also to do your part and learn something," she added.
Next year, the hub will be giving micro-bursaries to organizations that support the local food system. Funding will vary depending on need and the amount of applicants.
Hagn said their projects are focused on helping increase the amount of locally sourced produce and make it easily accessible to everyone in order to help tackle food insecurity.
"We don't have the quantity of produce available locally to make it affordable. A lot of the farmers have small farms. You can only produce a certain amount," she said.
The hub is hosting a garden gala on Sept. 21 at the Public Produce Garden in Cranbrook at 710 18 Ave. North from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees will get to sample locally-grown food prepared by a chef at this free event.
"It's a bit of an appreciation for local food, but also for the volunteers that are helping in the garden, and for people to just get to know the garden. It's a completely open-gate garden where anyone can come and work and harvest," she said.
For more information on upcoming Help A Farmer Series events, visit www.kimcranfoodhub.ca
