Good food is the business of both Taressa Waye and Brittany Balerud.
Both work for Alberta Health Services (AHS). Wayne is a registered dietician. Balerud is a health promoter.
Together they have launched the Good Food Club (GFC), a novel idea that aims to promote better eating practices for citizens in Olds. It is also an initiative that has arrived in Innisfail, and will soon be up and running in Didsbury, Sundre and even Cremona.
The idea behind GFC is simple but time honoured. The four-season program offers fresh vegetables and fruits - healthy, affordable and ready in a box for any citizen in any income bracket once a month.
Waye said the motivation behind the not-for-profit program, sanctioned and driven by AHS, is to encourage an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. In Olds, the GFC is operated in partnership with the town and the Church of the Nazarene, while in Innisfail, AHS has partnered with the town's United Church.
“When money is tight the first to go is fruit and vegetables,” said Waye, adding the GFC is offered in many other communities across Canada, including Brooks where she came up with the idea to have one in Central Alberta. “We want to make sure every single person, no matter what income level, has access to fruit and vegetables.
“We are about promoting healthy eating and living in the community,” she added. “Every cent citizens pay goes towards the box. The program is run by volunteers.”
Waye said the long-term goal is for the community to run the program.
The GFC is member driven, with annual fees set at $5 for volunteers and $10 for non-volunteers. Waye and Balerud say membership entitles all involved to have a voice on how the club is run and what produce goes in the box each month.
Members place an order once a month for a box of food, which comes fresh from a Calgary wholesaler. A small box costs $10 and will supply two people with fruit and vegetables for a week. A large box costs $20 and has enough produce for four people for seven days.
Each box contains four different types of fruits and seven kinds of vegetables. Depending on the season the types of fruits and vegetables will be varied. As well, each box will include a club newsletter and recipes.
“This is a food security program,” said Balerud. “We are putting it at a price everyone can meet.”
The GFC officially began in early September. To date, the club has picked up 10 orders. The deadline for orders is Sept. 28. The first batch of boxes will be ready for pickup on Oct. 10 at Olds' Church of the Nazarene, and the United Church in Innisfail.
Waye said the club has set an ordering policy that payment for a box will be due on the third Wednesday of each month. Box pickups are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month. Pickups at Olds' Church of the Nazarene will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. In Innisfail, pickups at the United Church will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, the club is looking for volunteers to help prepare the boxes on pickup days. For more information on volunteering and the GFC program contact Waye at 403-507-8147.
