On-going agronomy research to expand southern Alberta’s potato industry provides farmers with better opportunities and helps support local families in need.
Farming Smarter’s variety and fertility potato trials have donated 28,000 pounds of potatoes to Interfaith Food Bank over the last two years, with this year’s harvest being on track to bring the total to nearly 50,000 pounds.
According to Farming Smarter, variety and fertility research trials help to introduce better performing potatoes to southern Alberta and creates regional knowledge farmers can use, instead of relying on information from other regions.
After data processing, potatoes are donated to Interfaith to feed families throughout the community.
Interfaith’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator Taylor Doyle said Farming Smarter is doing research trials with their potatoes, but they’re growing perfectly good potatoes.
“Once they’re done with them, we’re so glad they choose to give them back to those in need in the community,” Doyle added. “We certainly wouldn’t want to see that quantity of potatoes going to waste. We’re happy they thought of us as a charity of choice to send those potatoes to.”
Potatoes are such a food bank staple, and Farming Smarter’s potatoes make such a difference in the families Interfaith serves.
“It’s more nutritious meals on our tables across our community. Potatoes are packed with vitamins and fibre. They’re incredibly filling, and they can be turned into so many different dishes,” Doyle explained.
Farming Smarter donates potatoes throughout the season, but typically in larger quantities near the end of harvest.
Each month, Interfaith serves approximately 950 hampers, which works out to roughly 2,500 individuals being served.
“Beyond that, we have so many programs and services, such as the Chinook Country Kitchen, which is in partnership with The Family Centre — teaching those skills to help make people more food secure, such as how to cook your own meals,” Doyle noted.
Interfaith also has a resource room, which helps connect people with other programs and services that might help clients address underlying issues that might have brought them into the food bank.
“Between all our programs and services, as well as our emergency food support, we support nearly 3,000 individuals each month,” Doyle said.
