$523,000 will be going to the Community Development Council of Quinte thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help expand their successful Good Food Market program.
“Part of the grant process is proving your point with statistics and need,” explains Market Program Coordinator Jennifer Allen. The program began in 2016 and currently has 10 markets – including one in Bancroft – but will look to expand to 22 with this funding. Carlow/Mayo Township and Hastings Highlands will be two of the 12 new markets the program will expand into.
“The investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation allows CDC to reach more people, to expand north into Hastings Highlands, and to host additional market times at our current market locations,” Allen explains. Additional staff members will also be brought on to help run the markets.
“What you can purchase there are fresh fruits and vegtables,” she explains. They aren’t expensive and no information is required to buy meaning it’s open to everyone. “According to the Community Health Survey, Hastings County’s level of food insecurity is 38-percent higher than all of Ontario and 50-percent higher than the rest of Canada,” Allen explains.
The existing Bancroft market is on Flint Street at the Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation’s office. This Friday they will be hosting at a market at a new location – Club 580 at Millenium Park. It will be going on from 4:30 PM until 6.