Farmers from Elmvale and surrounding communities recently gathered for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s spring meeting, aiming to tackle global hunger with local growing projects.

Since 1983, Canadian Foodgrains Bank has helped people by providing emergency food during crises and supporting long-term food security through farming and nutrition programs. Across Canada, local farmers play a big role in this mission. Last year, more than 180 growing projects across Canada, including many in Ontario, helped provide food for about 1.2 million people. One example is the North Simcoe GRAIN Project in Elmvale, where farmers work together to grow crops that support people in need around the world.

During harvest time, farmers and volunteers work together in a well-organized effort to gather crops, which are then delivered to partners such as Giffen Farms and sold. The money collected through the sale is used to support people facing hunger and to help farmers in other countries rebuild their food supply. According to the executive director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Andy Harrington, the need is growing quickly, with millions more people now struggling with hunger due to war, climate change, and rising costs, making this work more important than ever.

Recent cuts to foreign aid and rising fuel and fertilizer costs are making farming more expensive. Despite the challenges, farmers involved in the North Simcoe GRAIN Project in Elmvale remain committed. Over 25 years, they have raised about $1.8 million, which has grown to more than $8.5 million with government matching funds, helping people in many countries access food and rebuild their lives.

Source:  Monika Rekola, Collingwood Today