Growing more opportunities for affordable produce

For those living with mobility or health issues, a trip to the grocery store can be stressful.

Factor in the rising prices at grocery stores and a simple errand becomes a daunting task.

This is the reality for many residents of Murdoch Manor, a low-income seniors’ apartment building in the East Village housing over 300 people.

Communities like these are exactly why The City of Calgary’s Farm Stand Program continues to grow and expand. By partnering with local farms and vendors, fresh and affordable produce is brought directly to where it’s needed. The Farm Stand Program started as a partnership with Calgary Transit with six farm stands at various C-Train stations across the city. Since its launch in 2017, the program has expanded to over 30 locations at community hubs across the city, including Community Associations and Parks.

Fresh Routes is one of nine vendors in the program, offering a monthly pop-up market at Murdoch Manor and many other locations in and around Calgary. As a non-profit organization, Fresh Routes is a unique vendor in the program, focused on keeping costs low to make healthy food more accessible to Calgarians on a budget.

“We are tasked with bringing fresh, affordable fruits, vegetables and market fresh eggs to communities. We go to communities that might need a little extra help with mobility issues, extra help with affordability, and so we do this on a regular basis,” says Martin Robillard, Route Operator with Fresh Routes.

“We try as much as possible to charge about 20 – 25 per cent less on certain items. We look at our seasonal items too, so we’re not going to bring things that are the same price as the grocery store, then what’s the point?” He adds.

The Farm Stand Program is part of the CalgaryEATS! Food Action Plan. Endorsed by Council in 2012, the Food Action Plan contains 17 City actions to lead us toward a more sustainable and resilient food system.

The City has been operating farm stands with local farmers and vendors at various community hubs since 2017, providing Calgarians with more options to purchase fresh food.

“I think it’s important because of the food prices. That’s a big issue. I think it’s important for dignity as well,” says Robillard.

The organization is also launching a pilot project called Fresh Routes Go, which is a weekly delivery service. This gives residents of Murdoch Manor and other communities the option to pre-order and have their produce delivered each week.

 “I think it’s important for nutrition for all communities, not just seniors’ communities. There are people with mobility, anxiety or mental concerns that just don’t want to be in a crowded grocery store or don’t want to be on transit, don’t want to be on the bus or walking. We bring all that to them and hopefully they take advantage of it,” Robillard adds.

Before the construction of the East Village Real Canadian Superstore, the area was considered a food desert, meaning the community had little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet.

Rowena Williams has volunteered with Fresh Routes for over two years, inspired to help seniors struggling to access food in the East Village.

“First of all, I love volunteering because I like meeting people from different backgrounds. Plus, the East Village is my neighbourhood. I started volunteering when I realized that vegetables and fruit were so expensive,” explains Williams. “Most of the seniors here have mobility issues, like myself. Some people have wheelchairs, scooters, or a cane, so we did it for convenience for the seniors. It’s hard to travel if you don’t have a car.”

Depending on weather, Fresh Routes either sets up in Murdoch Manor’s garden area or dining hall.

“People are happy since they can get their fruits and vegetables and the price is right. They can come and get one banana for 25 cents or two sticks of celery and Martin treats them really good, so they’re happy,” adds Williams.

“The program increases face-to-face interaction between Calgarians and farmers, increasing appreciation for food producers and awareness of how food is grown,” explains Kristi Peters, Food Systems Planner with The City. “The Farm Stand Program helps to increase the resilience of our food system by creating sales opportunities for locally and regionally grown food, contributing to the local economy by keeping our spending dollars in the community, and supporting the success of local and regional producers.”