NEWS RELEASE
ANTI-HUNGER COALITION TIMMINS
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The Feed It Forward Campaign has officially launched at the Urban Park Market with a significant kick-start from Newmont Goldcorp in the amount of $5,000, alongside community donations of $2,000.
The goal of the Campaign is to raise funds in the form of Farm to Fork market vouchers to provide to individuals and families accessing the South Porcupine and Timmins Food Banks.
The Farm to Fork vouchers are equivalent to a monetary value of three dollars and are redeemable at participating food and produce vendors at the Mountjoy Independent Farmers’ Market and the Urban Park Market during the 2019 season.
“Recipients of the dollars last year indicated in overwhelming numbers that their access to fresh fruits and vegetables is way below the recommended amount for a healthy diet,” said Jennifer Vachon, Chair of the Farm to Fork committee. “Barriers such as the high cost of food and transportation are among the top reasons for inadequate access to healthy foods. A $7000 start to this year’s campaign is incredible and provides a wonderful opportunity to increase the amount of the freshest healthy food available to folks utilizing our local food banks”.
The campaign encourages market-goers to donate money in the form of Farm to Fork dollars by purchasing a $15 bundle of vouchers — $12 of which they keep to enjoy themselves at the market, while the remaining $3 are donated to the Timmins and South Porcupine Food Banks.
Individuals, organizations, and companies can choose to participate in the campaign by ‘Feeding It Forward’ with the $15 bundles or by simply donating cash to the Campaign.
Newmont Goldcorp, the first corporation to get involved with the Feed It Forward Campaign in 2018, jumped on board again this year to help boost the efforts of the Campaign.
“We were impressed with the results of last year’s campaign and are happy to take part in this important community initiative again,” said Bryan Neeley, Sustainability Manger at Newmont Goldcorp. “We recognize the importance of having access to heathy food, and this initiative not only increases access for folks that may be facing some major barriers to eating well, but it also directly supports our local farmers and our local economy. It’s win-win for everyone involved.”
Feed It Forward bundles can be purchased every Thursday at the Urban Park Market and anytime during business hours at the Downtown Timmins BIA office. For more information, contact Jennifer Vachon at 705-288-9701 or [email protected].
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