FFL Executive Director's remarks at AGM

This article was published on December 13, 2011

As I reflect on 2010/11, I consider the year as a milestone year. We reached milestones in food volumes, organizational capacity, food safety as well as continued growth in outreach programs and volunteerism.

For the first time in our organization’s history we collected over 1 million pounds of food through both the Food for Life food recovery program and the ReFresh Foods program. Increased contributions from both the retail and corporate food sectors allowed Food for Life to assist over 20,000 individuals per month in Halton Region who couldn’t otherwise afford a fresh nutritious diet.

Secondly, Food for Life added two new staff positions; Operations Co-ordinator and Outreach Programs Manager. Ian Gibbons joined Food for Life as the Operations Co-ordinator focusing on the efficient management of all warehousing and distribution activities for both the Food for Life food recovery program and the ReFresh Foods program.  As our Outreach Programs Manager, Karen Bonham is responsible for managing and supporting the 36 Food for Life neighbourhood outreach programs and establishing new outreach programs with community partners such as churches, Halton Community Housing Corporation, co-ops and community agencies.

I extend my sincere appreciation to my staff team; Ian and Karen as well as Michelle Huser, Manager, Corporate Food Solicitation and our drivers; Ron Hiegelsberger and Derek Tweedy, for their commitment and dedication to providing food to those in need in their community.

A third milestone is the development of a standard policy which defines the criteria for accepting donated food products for distribution to member agencies. Food for Life collaborated with Halton Public Health on the development of the document “Food Safety Guidelines for Food Banks” which provides a comprehensive standard guideline for food quality and safety standards. The document is a resource for staff and volunteers to share information on food safety, and to ensure that the food items are safe for consumers.

Another element of our commitment to food safety was the addition of our state-of-the-art, 800 square foot, walk-in modular chiller. This refrigeration upgrade was made possible through the generous support of four key donors; Burlington Community Foundation, Pioneer Energy, the May Court Club of Oakville and the Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Fund. Food for Life has increased our capacity to collect, safety store and deliver additional food to additional individuals and families in need in the community of Halton.

Lastly, the continued growth of our outreach programs, with expansion to all regions of Halton, was a significant highlight in 2010/11. Food for Life is committed to providing direct access to food in neighbourhoods in all regions of Halton.  Our programs allow more individuals and families to receive fresh healthy food close to home.  Our expansion includes 10 new programs in St. Albans Anglican Church and Milton Bible Church in Glen Williams and Milton respectively. New Oakville programs include partnerships with Halton Multicultural Council, St. Jude’s Anglican Church and Glen Oaks Co-op. Applemead Co-op, Prospect Outreach, the Halton Mosque, Maple Crossing and Faith Christian Reformed Church were new programs established in Burlington. 

We have seen extensive growth in our volunteers as our volunteer hours exceeded 20,000.  Our volunteers are on the front lines; as a Cobs volunteer who collects, packs and delivers bread, as an outreach program volunteer who contributes to their neighbourhood by co-ordinating and distributing food, as a driver and or assistant drivers who drives the truck and loads or someone who co-ordinates the Cobs schedule including recruiting, training. They help us do what we do!

Our programs make a difference to many; to the recent immigrant settling in the community by receiving fresh fruit, to someone who may have lost their job who receives two bags of groceries, a senior struggling to make ends meet receives a weekly delivery of chicken or fish for their dinner or a single parent receives healthy snacks for her children.

Through the generosity of our food donors, the dedication of our volunteers, and the commitment of our Board of Directors and our staff, we have made a meaningful impact on the health and vitality of the lives of thousands of people throughout Halton.