Farmers are reminded of opportunities to support their communities
By Jennifer Jackson
A Sarnia food bank is the winner of a contest sponsored by the Egg Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OFBA). The associations awarded 600 dozen eggs to Sarnia’s Inn of the Good Shepard, according to Amanda King, director of communications for the OFBA.
The Inn will share the donation with local foodbanks in the area. The donation represents five weeks’ worth of eggs for the Inn.
The Salvation Army in Owen Sound and the Agape Centre in Cornwall also won donations as runners-up in the contest.
“There’s always an ongoing need for fresh food,” says King.
The OFBA is grateful to receive annual donations from almost all industry producer organizations, in addition to direct local farmer donations. The organization looks forward to “continuing (farmer’s and farm group’s) already amazing support.”
“Protein is the most needed item” in foodbanks, says King. Industry “donations provide clients with access to (protein products, for) a well-balanced diet.
“Locally, so many of our food banks have direct relationships with farmers.”
Myles Vanni, executive director of the Inn, reminds farmers of the OMAFRA tax credit for the donation of agricultural products. These donations can include fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy products, and grains, or anything that is grown, raised, or harvested on a farm.
Farmers who donate products can claim 25 per cent of the products’ value in a tax credit.
“Nobody knows better than a farmer how important healthy, fresh food is,” says Vanni.
The push for the tax credit began in Sarnia, when provincial representatives observed the strong farmer-foodbank relationship at the Inn, according to Vanni.
“We have a very strong and caring agricultural community here in Lambton County.”
The tax credit is “helping support farmers that support foodbanks,” according to Vanni. Increasing donations from farmers allows the Inn to expand community efforts, such as mobile farmers markets designed for families in need.
Farmers interested in making a donation can contact their local foodbanks directly, or visit the OFBA website.