How the Winnipeg Airports Authority is working to end hunger in the community
The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) and Harvest Manitoba are coming together to help fight hunger in the community.
On Tuesday, the groups came together to pull vegetables from the WAA’s Harvest Garden, located at the Winnipeg airport.
Each year since 1997, the WAA has planted a vegetable garden on the campus of the Winnipeg airport with the purpose of donating the vegetables to Harvest Manitoba. Since the initiative began, the WAA has donated more than 67,000 pounds of produce.
“For almost 30 years, the Winnipeg airport and their staff have been growing this garden for hamper families supported by Harvest Manitoba,” said Vince Barletta, president and CEO of Harvest Manitoba.
“They’ve got another beautiful harvest this year and we’re happy to help them gather it up.”
Barletta said this partnership means a lot to the non-profit as gardens like the WAA’s help people in need all over the province.
“I think the Airport Authority might beat last year’s record of 4,000 pounds [of produce],” he said.
Michel Rosset, manager of communications for the WAA, described the garden as a long-standing tradition.
“Traditionally we plant potatoes, carrots, onions, beets. Those root vegetables that Harvest can take back and dehydrate them and make them into soup or give them away as needed,” Rosset said.
He added this is an exciting year, as the garden will have now helped to provide meals for 100,000 families.
“Since 1997, when we started the Harvest Garden, we’ve been able to provide a meal to 100,000 families across the province. Really, that’s what it’s all about,” Rosset said.
HELP NEEDED FOR HARVEST MANITOBA
Barletta said that those with high-quality produce in their gardens are welcome to bring it down to Harvest Manitoba.
“This time of year, we always appreciate the bounty from our gardeners,” he said.
Barletta added that Harvest Manitoba is in need of community support, as the non-profit is serving a record number of Manitobans.
“Families impacted by fixed incomes, by high inflation, other economic challenges,” he explained.
“So, again, the produce coming out of this garden at the Winnipeg Airport Authority, gardeners all across our province, and the tens of thousands of Manitobans that support us – thank you, thank you, thank you.”
- With files from CTV’s Scott Andersson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.