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Abbotsford, B.C.
Ground breaking launches new food-processing facility


With shovels in hand, Board members of the Fraser Valley Gleaners (FVG) and Mennonite Central Committee B.C. broke ground on a new project that will turn waste food into real food for the hungry in the world.

The Twin Firs Gleaning Project will see the construction of a facility in Abbotsford, B.C., used to process and dry food gleaned from farmers and greenhouse growers in the Fraser Valley, as well as Lucerne Foods and then distribute it to needy people overseas. Construction is ready to begin at the Twin Firs site on Winson Road. Participants at the ground breaking are eager to see the building up and the project running. John Fast, vice-president of FVG, found the groundbreaking ceremony moving.

“It’s been two years since our society formed. Even though we’ve been active in gleaning and processing food for the Okanagan Gleaners, it has always been our dream to have a facility here,” he said. “To see it happening (yesterday) was overwhelming. We have had so many setbacks and to see it come to fruition is awesome.”

Up until now, FVG has been gleaning produce from Fraser Valley farms and greenhouses and then transported it to their sister operation in Oliver, B.C. – the Okanagan Gleaners – for processing. It has been a dream to have a facility in the Fraser Valley that would allow this ministry to operate without the extra cost of transporting the material to the Okanagan. MCC’s Twin Firs property is a good location and it gives the two organizations an opportunity to work together on a project that speaks to the heart of both agencies.

Members of the Fraser Valley Gleaners and MCC B.C. holding the plans for the food-drying facility that will turn tons of wasted food into meals for people around the world. (l-r) John Fast (vice-president of FVG), Jake Martens (president of the Okanagan Gleaners Society), Laura Loewen (executive director for MCC B.C.), Walter Bergen – background (resource development for MCC B.C.), Jake Redekop (contractor) and Ernie Schmidt (chair, MCC B.C.). MCC BC photo

“We are pleased to be working together with the Fraser Valley Gleaners,” says Laura Loewen, executive director of MCC B.C. “The agreement to work together is a natural one. Both of our organizations are faith based, both rely on the passion and commitment of volunteers, and both are concerned about feeding the many hungry people in our world.”

It is estimated that 25 per cent of all food in North America goes to waste, often simply because it is not “cosmetically” suitable. An excess of 20 million pounds of wasted produce could be utilized right here in the Fraser Valley, and that is exactly what the FVG and MCC B.C. hope to do.

 – Angelika Dawson, for MCC B.C.

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Last modified July 10, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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