Dundas Good Food Box

In January 2011, Dave Carson and Jim Sweetman brought the concept of the Good Food Box to Dundas after being part of Poverty in the Valley and the Community Food Stakeholders Committee. Dundas Good Food Box is a non-profit fresh fruit and vegetable distribution system. At present, it buys in bulk from the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto and the fruit and vegetables are repackaged into boxes which are sold for $15 each. Each month around 90 - 100 boxes are distributed. The Salvation Army gets about half and individuals pick up the rest through direct sales. The boxes are packed once per month at the Dundas Baptist Church and volunteers are always needed. At present, there are about 30 Good Food Box communities in Ontario. This is a joint effort of Dundas in Transition and Environment Hamilton Eat Local project. The long term goal is to establish direct links with local farmers and get produce directly from them.

Boxes can be ordered through dundasintransition@gmail.com and can be picked up at key points in Dundas. More information is available at www.dundasintransition.ca .

Dave Carson, a member of the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise, also spoke of the Community Food Continuum and its three stages: Short term relief, Building capacity and empowering individuals and community, and Systemic shift for sustainability.