Making Connections

Making Connections addresses the need for food bank clients to have access to fresh produce. The project’s goal is to improve consumption and knowledge of fresh and locally-grown vegetables and fruit.

We connect food program clients to fresh local produce. We link local farms to non-profit organizations and clients, and ultimately this provides a re-connection with both land and our food sources for all involved.

Making Connections works with ‘at-risk’ individuals in the north Toronto area including those with a low income, seniors, children, and newcomers.

How Making Connections helps link hungry families to local produce

Farm Support

Whittamore's Berry Farm, Reesor Farm and Forsythe Family Farm donate fresh vegetables and fruits every week during the growing season. This produce is picked up by North York Harvest Food Bank and distributed to food bank users in the northern Toronto area. Over 13,000 lbs of fresh produce were donated in 2008.

Gleaning

Gleaning is the picking of fruits and vegetables that a farmer will not harvest. It is free of charge and helps reduce food wastage at the same time as providing community members and food bank clients with access to wonderful seasonal produce. Making Connections arranges gleaning trips to participating farms and for many participants this is their first visit to a farm. Produce that has been picked in the past includes: strawberries, beans, apples, raspberries and corn.

Educational Workshops

Many people in Toronto have limited knowledge of local produce and its preparation. What do you do with a rutabaga? Making Connections offers cooking workshops in community kitchens which cover topics such as food safety, nutrition and preservation techniques. Participants make jams, baby food and sauces that can be stored through to winter.

Public support and education

Want to donate fresh produce? Local produce can be bought and donated at participating farm markets during the Fresh Food Drive. We all know that buying local benefits everyone, farmers and their family, the environment and our communities. When you buy local and donate, everyone wins. Fresh Food Drives are held at Reesor Farm, Forsythe Family Farms and Whittamore's Berry Farm during July, August and September long weekends. An information table is also set up at Whittamore's Berry Farm during most weekends in the summer.

Participating Farms: