WINNIPEG, Manitoba - May 27, 2019 - Winnipeg Harvest is launching an innovative urban agriculture program that addresses the issue of hunger in communities across our province by inviting corporate partners and the community to Grow-A-Row of vegetables. This spring, Winnipeg Harvest is partnering with Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) to launch their #FeedHope Grow-A-Row Corporate Challenge. This unique initiative encourages corporate and community partners to re-purpose unused land into gardens to grow food for those in need. Winnipeg Harvest will take the produce donations and process, dehydrate, and package those vegetables into a nutritious and delicious soup mix that will be distributed to those who are at risk of hunger throughout Manitoba's largest food bank network in the winter months.
Keren Taylor-Hughes, CEO of Winnipeg Harvest emphasized, "We recognize that around our province there is lots of green space/land which can be repurposed into gardens to grow vegetables for a nutritious plant protein-based soup. This program will deliver a delicious soup mixture with dignity to those most in need. The soup mix will be easy to prepare; by just adding boiling water it can provide a hearty meal for a family."
Winnipeg Harvest is partnering with the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) who have been a proud community partner of Harvest's since 1997 when they first championed the Grow-A-Row program by tending to their own garden at the airport. Over the past twenty-three years, WAA has grown more than 65,000 pounds of vegetables in support of Winnipeg Harvest.
Barry Rempel, President and CEO of WAA commented, "One of the highlights for our team every year is the Harvest Garden. Being able to give back to our community and make a difference in someone's life is incredibly rewarding. WAA is proud to partner with Winnipeg Harvest over the years to support the fight against hunger."
To encourage more corporate and community participation, Winnipeg Harvest is issuing a friendly challenge to other corporations and community members to join the #FeedHope Grow-A-Row campaign.
About Winnipeg Harvest's Grow-A-Row campaign:
The Grow-A-Row program blossomed in 1986, when Winnipeg residents Ron and Eunice O'Donovan produced more potatoes in their backyard than they could consume. Their abundant harvest was so well received by Winnipeg Harvest that they decided to encourage friends and the community to also donate surplus produce. Over three decades later, the Grow-A-Row campaign has sprouted over 3.7 million pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit for families in need throughout Winnipeg.
About Winnipeg Harvest:
Winnipeg Harvest is a community-based, not for profit, food distribution and training centre that collects and redistributes food through a network of food banks, agencies, and meal programs that serve children, families, seniors and individuals who are at risk of hunger throughout Manitoba. We provide training programs for our clients and focus attention on hunger within our community as we move towards long-term solutions.
About Winnipeg Airports Authority:
Winnipeg Airports Authority serves the community by leading transportation innovation and growth. As a non-share capital corporation, all net revenue is reinvested back into delivering on our mission of providing excellent airport services and facilities in a fiscally prudent manner. WAA does this through a group of companies that work together toward a common vision. WAA is proud to be recognized as one of Manitoba's Top Employers for 2019, the eighth year in a row.
For more information:
Tyler MacAfee, Vice President, Communications and Government Relations
Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.
Media Line: 204-992-2791
