An Ontario organization that feeds people across the globe is looking to the future.
After essentially shutting down operations due to COVID-19, Southwest Ontario Gleaners General Manager Joel Epp said things will look a little bit different once production resumes.
The organization takes unsellable fruit and vegetables that are donated from local farmers and makes dehydrated vegetable mix and fruit snacks for relief agencies across Ontario and the world. As of 2019, Southwest Ontario Gleaners has distributed nearly four million servings worldwide.
According to Epp, 2020 started off promising before the impacts of the pandemic hit.
"The number of volunteers was at an all-time high, production was rolling at a record pace and we were targeting over five million servings to be distributed both locally and internationally," he said. "Procurement of food from various donors was lined up and it was looking to be a very productive year."
However, over the last eight weeks, the organization has had to lay off its staff and cease production as well as cancel its annual spring fundraiser.
One of the few silver linings was that the team was able to donate the produce that it had leftover before shutting down to the South Essex Community Council, St. Michael's Food Pantry, and the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor (UHC).
"We were happy to share our food instead of having it sit here and going to waste," said Epp. "Over the past few weeks, we have also partnered with UHC to send produce and canned goods to northern Ontario and Saskatchewan, where communities have been hit hard with difficulties in the food supply chain."
Epp said the organization is preparing for what things will look like once it's safe to bring back staff and volunteers.
"We are eager to get back to dehydrating products and back to helping people," he said. "There will be a new normal when we start back up. That means different restrictions with more personal protective equipment and other measures to make sure everyone and our food remain safe."
To help assist with monthly operating costs that the Southwest Ontario Gleaners have to pay despite the pandemic, Epp said the organization is accepting donations through its website.
