Red Deer gardeners sharing harvest with food bank

Red Deer gardeners sharing harvest with food bank

Published 2:28 pm Monday, September 14, 2026

Red Deer Food Bank clients are enjoying the benefits of bountiful, backyard vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

Samantha Paterson, food production manager with the food bank, said so far city gardeners have dropped off about 3,825 pounds of produce that has included zucchinis, potatoes, carrots, beans, beets, onions, cabbage and apples.

“It started rolling in about mid-August, depending on what they’re bringing,” said Paterson about the people with an overabundance of produce, and those who plant a few extra rows specifically for the food bank.

“The weather is changing and people are panicking to harvest so we may see an uptick here in the next couple of weeks.”

Gardeners can drop off their extra produce at Bay 10 behind the food bank Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food bank volunteers are available to unload the food.

The food bank’s community gardens grew about 1,600 pounds of produce this year, and another 5,300 pounds was grown by an individual outside the city.

She said it’s great to be able to pass along healthy, locally grown produce to clients.

This year the food bank opened a grocery-style Food Hub where clients get to choose food items instead of receiving a pre-packed food hamper. Open by appointment, the Food Hub allows individuals and families to select food that fits their dietary preferences, which has been shown to reduce food waste for food banks by about 30 per cent.

The food bank also distributes produce to the Salvation Army, Mustard Seed and other organizations that feed citizens in need.

Paterson said throughout the year, the food bank’s onsite hydroponic system helps to provide fresh produce like lettuce, kale and arugula.

“We harvest every week.”