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Every Saturday, vendors are given the opportunity to donate their leftover food products, which are then distributed to the two food banks. (Photo: LNN)

Lethbridge Farmers’ Market partners with local food banks

Jun 28, 2023 | 1:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Farmers’ Market and its vendors are giving back to the community by donating to the Lethbridge Food Bank and Interfaith Food Bank.

The farmers’ market is working in collaboration with Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) Drive Away Hunger program. Every Saturday, vendors are given the opportunity to donate their leftover food products, which are then distributed to the two food banks.

Lethbridge & District Exhibition has collected food donations from farmers’ market vendors for multiple years, but CEO Mike Warkinton said the collaboration will streamline the process and allow for more food to be donated.

He explained, “This partnership is a testament to the caring nature of our vendors and their willingness to give back to the community. Having FCC and Drive Away Hunger commit to running this program this year ensures the experts are in place to get as much food as possible to our local food banks. We appreciate the commitment of all our partners to support this community.”

Donated food is picked up by the food banks at the end of each Saturday market.

Danielle McIntyre, Executive Director of Interfaith Food Bank said, “Perishable foods are in high demand at food banks, particularly because they tend to be a bit more expensive.”

McIntyre added, “The cost of groceries has led to more community members relying on our help lately, and the support of FCC and the Farmers’ Market at Lethbridge & District Exhibition will make sure that more of our most wanted foods are available to those who need it most.”

The Lethbridge Farmers’ Market runs each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the North Pavilion at Lethbridge & District Exhibition.

Drive Away Hunger is a Canada-wide campaign led by the agriculture industry, which worked with the food industry to provide 40 million meals across the country last year.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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