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Ottawa Food Bank looking to reFRESH its winter produce

For immediate release: December 8, 2015

Food bank to supply fresh fruits and vegetables
during the winter months

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Food Bank has officially launched their reFRESH program this week.  The program will provide fresh produce to their community food bank network across the city during the winter months. This is a time when it is difficult to distribute produce, as the food bank’s own plot of farming land where they house their Community Harvest farming program is closed for the season.

“We’re now able to provide a regular supply of fresh produce to community food banks during the winter months,” says Michael Maidment, Executive Director, Ottawa Food Bank. “This is part of a continued effort to feed people well, as we know it makes a difference in their health and wellness.”

Last year, the Ottawa Food Bank ran a small-scale pilot program to help determine the need in the community, produce items that should be included, and cost.

The fruit and vegetable selection is based on the results of a focus group that included members of the Ottawa Food Bank’s food bank network. The produce selection will include potatoes, carrots, onions, bananas, oranges, and apples.

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About the Ottawa Food Bank
The Ottawa Food Bank is the Region’s central food assistance organization. Through its 140 member agencies, the Ottawa Food Bank provides food for 50,000 people per month, 37 per cent of whom were children. On average, 12 to 14 tons of food is shipped from its Michael Street warehouse each and every weekday. For more information on how the Ottawa Food Bank helps its neighbours get beyond hunger, or to make a secure online donation, please visit: www.ottawafoodbank.ca

For more information:
Samantha Ingram
Ottawa Food Bank, Communications Coordinator
samantha@ottawafoodbank.ca
613-745-7001 ext. 015

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