Thunder Bay’s Food Program Reaches Major Milestone

A food security initiative in Thunder Bay, Ont., has celebrated packing its 100,000th box of fresh produce since it started over 20 years ago.

The Thunder Bay Good Food Box Program, managed by the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre (NOWC), kicked off in 2005 aiming to provide affordable fresh fruits and vegetables monthly.

According to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU), about 22 percent of households in the Thunder Bay area deal with food insecurity.

With rising living costs and fewer donations to local food banks, the Good Food Box has become increasingly vital, stated NOWC’s executive director, Katie Bortolin.

“We know that the cost of living is increasing while wages and support from government is being either cut or staying the same, and it is not sustainable for families,” Bortolin said.

“This program is set for people with low income, fixed income – we also know that there [are] a whole bunch of people who are working and still living paycheque to paycheque, so we’re trying to respond to needs as quickly and as effectively as possible.”

Each Good Food Box in Thunder Bay, Ont., costs $22 and contains up to a dozen items. (Zoe Gordon/CBC)

The program operates with one co-ordinator and over 200 volunteers from various sectors.

“What we’re celebrating is community connection and the progress made when mutual aid happens, to respond to the needs of everyone to make sure people have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Bortolin.

Although the program is close to reaching its limit, she mentioned that those involved are finding innovative ways to meet demand.

‘It’s a big family, a big community of people’

Gwen O’Reilly, former executive director at NOWC, continues her support for the Good Food Box program.

The partners involved with this initiative buy wholesale food in bulk so they can offer boxes filled with up to a dozen food items at lower-than-retail prices. The boxes cost $22 each and can be delivered or picked up at more than 40 different host sites.

“If you come here at 9 a. m., there’s already a crew here who knows what they’re doing; it’s already starting to organize things,” O’Reilly said. “It’s a big family, a big community of people.”

Sherry Scott serves as the program’s co-ordinator. She highlights that this entire effort is driven by community members along with help from local donors, businesses, and farmers.

“Because of our 100,000th box, we are trying to get 100 sustaining donors. We currently have 20,” Scott said. 

You can find more details about the program on the Good Food Box website.

A list of local food banks, free hot meals, and affordable fresh produce options available on both sides of town can also be found on the health unit’s website where it’s updated regularly.

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