Calgary Food Bank Receives Boost from Retirees’ Garden Project

The Calgary Food Bank is set to benefit significantly from the produce cultivated by a group of retirees known as the **POWER Gardeners**. This initiative, officially named the **Get Growing Garden**, has been operational for the past 26 years, with its members primarily consisting of former employees from companies such as **TransAlta**, **Enmax**, **Imperial Oil**, and **Fortis Alberta**. The retirees have dedicated their efforts to planting and harvesting a sprawling garden that spans more than one and a half acres.

According to **Melissa From**, president and CEO of the Calgary Food Bank, the garden is expected to yield between **70,000 and 80,000 pounds** of fresh produce this season. “That’s going to go right into the pantries and refrigerators of people who need this food the most,” she stated. The project not only provides essential food supplies but also fosters community involvement and support among retirees.

Collaboration and Community Efforts

For the last six years, the garden has been located east of Strathmore at **Eagle Lake Turf Farm and Landscape Supply**. **Fred Ritter**, the garden coordinator, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “We’re so fortunate here that Eagle Lake irrigates this for us,” he remarked. “They prepare the soil for us, so it’s just wonderful what they’re doing to help us out here.” This collaboration allows the volunteers to focus on planting and maintaining the garden throughout the growing season.

In the spring, the group works closely with the Calgary Food Bank to determine which vegetables to plant based on community needs. “We have conversations with the food bank as to what is needed most,” Ritter explained. “And it ends up being a lot of these root vegetables; carrots, beets, onions – those are the main items, and then we also have potatoes.”

The harvesting process is a community affair, with over **100 volunteers** dedicating a day to collect the produce. Since starting the harvest in **August**, the team has already donated more than **6,800 kilograms** of food, primarily consisting of beets and zucchini.

Nourishing the Community

From underscored the importance of providing nutritious food to clients. “Making sure that our clients have access to the most nutritious and healthy food possible is a priority,” she noted. Every emergency food hamper distributed by the Calgary Food Bank includes **30 percent fresh produce**, **30 percent protein options**, and a selection of dry goods. This balanced approach ensures that families in need receive essential nutrients alongside staple items.

**Mark Janzen**, general manager of Eagle Lake, expressed pride in the initiative, stating that the operation spans over **800 hectares** and that they are happy to donate a plot of land for the garden project. “I think they’ve put in… after today, it would be about **3,000 labor hours** of hard work, just great stewardship of this little tiny patch of land that we’ve got,” he said. He encourages others to consider how they might contribute to their communities, even if it’s in smaller ways.

The Get Growing Garden exemplifies how dedicated individuals can make a meaningful impact by cultivating fresh produce for those in need. As the project continues to thrive, it not only addresses food insecurity but also fosters community spirit and active participation among retirees.