By Jordan Davidson (Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow)

Fighting famine with local farming

Sep 1, 2021 | 4:23 PM

PIGEON LAKE, Alta. — A central Alberta farming organization which donates produce to food banks is hoping to expand their business and help more people in need.

The Alberta Farm to Food Bank offers locally-grown, farm-fresh produce direct to food banks across central Alberta, from Calgary to Edmonton with a few places in between. Albertans donate to the organization, and the organization in turn pays farmers to grow produce.

Steve Breum, along with his wife Nicky and son Max, own Gone Green Farms, located just south of Pigeon Lake. Together, along with farm hand and family-friend Everett Roberts, they operate the Alberta Farm to Food Bank.

Since they started the initiative in 2018, Breum said they’ve been able to donate more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce to Alberta charities. He says it’s important for him to pass along these values to his son, and hopes others will join in.

“If we could inspire a few people to grow their own garden and help support themselves and maybe donate a little bit of what they have extra, that goes a long way.”

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Breum said their mission is simple: support local, which in turn, helps make communities stronger. Albertans can donate to their organization, and they then pay farmers to grow produce, which helps keep smaller farms alive while feeding thousands of people across the province.

Steve Breum in his potato field. (supplied)

Currently, some of their partners include the Leduc and District Food Bank, Tee Pee Treats, which is a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned catering company out of Edmonton, and Rock Soup, a Wetaskiwin-based greenhouse and food bank. They are also currently in talks to partner with the Red Deer Food Bank.

Breum said right now, all the produce is coming straight from their farm, but he has plans to expand their reach.

“In the future, if we can get this initiative to grow, then we can bring on other farms. And if we bring on others farms, they may be strategically located so they can benefit different areas. Then we can keep the costs of delivery down to reasonable prices, and if we keep the costs down, then we can put more food out.”

To donate, to become a food bank partner, or for farmers interested in joining their mission, go to albertafarmtofoodbank.com.