OLDS — A representative of the Olds and area Good Food Box program fears that if more people don’t sign up for the program, it may not be worth continuing with it.
The Good Food Box Program provides each participant with a box of local fresh fruits and vegetables every month that they’re in season, plus a newsletter with information and recipes for meals and snacks.
Participants pay a membership fee and pay for either a small box for one or two people for a week or a large box with enough fruit and vegetables for three to four people for a week.
Olds resident Linda Livingston orders that food for the program and pays for it.
However, recently the number of boxes ordered has fallen to 26.
“I’m told if it goes below 20 boxes, it’s really not worth my time and effort to do it,” Livingston said during an interview with the Albertan.
“It takes me two days to figure all this out; how much goes in a small (box), how much goes in a large (box).
“I’d like to maybe let other people know because there are people here in Olds and in Bowden too who know nothing about it.”
She said people in the Sundre area used to come and buy boxes but don’t anymore.
Also, she said a major employer used to fund quite a few boxes, but that ended when they shut down their operation in the area.
Boxes can be picked up every second Wednesday of the month at Hope Pointe Community Church of the Nazarene in Olds.
The Good Food Box program operates on a cash-only basis and payments must be paid for the last Tuesday of the previous month.
You can sign up for a box at the Hope Pointe Community Church of the Nazarene. The church office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Livingston said she’s met some of the people for whom she has created boxes.
“They’re very happy with them. They’re very happy,” she said.
“It’s a chance to make healthy, easy food choices and helps to support the local community at the same time,” a sheet promoting the program says.
