British Columbia Food Banks receive donation of Island spuds in time for holidays
Food banks in areas that were affected by the devastating flooding in British Columbia (BC) will receive a truckload of PEI potatoes today.
To assist areas in BC that experienced significant loss from extreme weather events, the Province of Prince Edward Island is donating more than 60,000 pounds of quality potatoes from local producers to the Food Banks of BC. The potatoes were shipped from PEI farms on Monday December 6, 2021 and are anticipated to arrive at food banks in BC today.
“While we remain committed to finding a solution to the current unfair trade restrictions that have been imposed on our Island’s agriculture industry, we are very proud to work with our west coast colleagues to support them during this difficult time for their province. Our Province is proud of our top-quality potatoes and we are pleased that they can be enjoyed by people who need them over the holiday season.”
Premier Dennis King
The potatoes were purchased by the Government of PEI from local growers, and the growers were identified through collaboration with the PEI Potato Board.
“Our department has been in touch with colleagues in BC to identify ways that our provinces can help each other through very difficult times,” said Minister of Agriculture and Land Bloyce Thompson. “Agriculture is one big community, and we are always willing to help when our colleagues and neighbors are in need whenever possible.”
“In the wake of devastating flooding and mudslides, we’ve seen British Columbians come together to support one another. Today, it’s our neighbours from Prince Edward Island who are lending a hand to help keep B.C. food banks stocked through this challenging time,” said Premier of British Columbia John Horgan. “I want to thank Premier King and the people of PEI for their generosity this holiday season.”
Islanders can follow the potato donation to the Food Banks in BC through the Government of PEI’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Media contacts:
Adam Ross
Office of the Premier
adamross@gov.pe.ca
Lindsay Byers
Office of the Premier, Executive Council – British Columbia
Linsday.Byers@gov.bc.ca
Kip Ready
Department of Agriculture and Land
kjready@gov.pe.ca
Background:
On Monday December 6, 2021, Premier Dennis King, and Minister of Agriculture and Land Bloyce Thompson were on site at G. Visser & Sons to see the fully loaded truck of potatoes off to BC. The Province worked with the PEI Potato Board and Red Isle Produce to coordinate and source the shipment of potatoes. The donated potatoes were packed in 10-pound bags, and were shipped to BC by Morley Annear Ltd., a local trucking company on PEI. The total cost of the donation to the Province is approximately $25,000 and the potatoes will be donated to three food banks located across BC:
Kamloops Food Bank
171 Wilson Street
Kamloops, BC V2B 2M8
Salvation Army Chilliwack Food Bank
46420 Brooks Avenue
Chilliwack, BC V2P2N4
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
8345 Winston Street
Burnaby, BC V5A 2H3
The shipment of potatoes is expected to arrive in Kamloops today, and will arrive in Chilliwack and Burnaby on Tuesday, December 14 due to current road closures caused by the significant flooding in the area.