As the province seems to be in the throes of yet a fifth wave of Covid-19, people are still struggling to get back on their feet. Not only that, but Calgary’s citizens are suffering from a myriad of problems city-wide. From the uncertainty surrounding province-wide safety procedures, to the fact that inflation is coming in at highs not seen in well over 15 years, it is not surprising that stress levels seem to be rising. In the middle of all that, it almost seems inconsequential that buying fresh produce is harder than ever before; that is, unfortunately, exactly the problem.
From when we are children all the way to adulthood, we are taught that eating things like vegetables and fruits is good for your health, and science seems to back this up. A rich diet in leafy greens or berries is linked to reducing blood sugar levels, decreasing chances of a stroke, heart disease, eye or digestive problems, and even preventing some forms of cancer. However, fresh produce is expensive and it can be a struggle to get when you are on a tight budget. Luckily, this is exactly the problem that the Good Food Box Program works to solve. Under the management of the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, it offers all Calgarians and those in surrounding areas, sustainable access to nutritious boxes of fruits and vegetables that they can purchase, ensuring no one goes hungry. The fresh fruits and vegetables are set at affordable prices that people can buy in bulk, and the boxes themselves are made by dedicated volunteers across the city.
The program has been flagged by multiple people as a solid option for families during Calgary’s increasing cost of food prices. According to the latest Canada’s Food Price Report, the average Calgary family of four can expect to pay about $966 more on food in 2022 than they did in 2021, which only increases the importance of having a cheap way to get healthy foods.
For anyone who wants to help others in the community have a healthy start to 2022, donating or volunteering to the Good Food Box Program and others like it is a great place to start.
Donate here, or visit here to learn more about Community Kitchen: https://www.ckpcalgary.ca/
