Hunger in Moose Jaw, a non-profit that has been working for 30 years to alleviate food insecurity in the city, has updated its low-cost, healthy Good Food Box options, which anyone in the community can benefit from.
"Our Good Food Box program is a bulk-buying option for families to get fruits and vegetables, and it's been around for, I think, over 15 years now," explained Sharla Sept, executive director of Hunger in Moose Jaw. "It's open to anyone in the community who wants to participate
"We've normally offered two box options, large and small, and then our fruit bag, and now we've added an individual size. So, it's for one to two people, and that's responding to a need we're seeing in the community."
Hunger in Moose Jaw's flagship program is their nutritious school lunches, which provides a free, healthy weekday meal to hundreds of in-need school kids every day. They also teach cooking classes for all ages, co-ordinate community gardens during the growing season, and operate a free preschool program.
Through their Good Food Box, Hunger in Moose Jaw is able to offer a non-profit, bulk-buying healthy food option to anyone who is interested.
The prices as of January 2024 are:
- Large Good Food Box - $25
- Perfect for three to five people
- Small Good Food Box - $20
- Intended for a small family or couple
- Fruit Bag - $15
- Three to four different kinds of fruit
- Individual Good Food Box - $12.50
Hunger in Moose Jaw accepts payment via credit, debit, cash, or e-transfer to [email protected], which can also be emailed for any questions or concerns.
The boxes are packed fresh by volunteers and can typically be picked up between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hunger in Moose Jaw even offers site delivery for orders of three or more.
"You don't have to be experiencing food insecurity to sign up for this program," Sept explained. "We want as many people as possible, because that helps us get the fruit and veg for about 30 per cent less than grocery store prices with a bulk order from our non-profit. We know that grocery prices are really high right now, and we're just trying to give people a break. This is a cost-recovery program.
"And for businesses and organizations where several people are ordering, we do offer free site delivery for three or more orders. And we do have a number of locations that take advantage of that, like home daycares, schools, and a few businesses here in town."
Learn more about Hunger in Moose Jaw and its programs at hungerinmoosejaw.org.
