OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - As it continues to commit to food waste reduction, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) was selected to support the delivery of the Surplus Food Rescue Program developed by the Government of Canada.
$22 million of funding will be split between CPMA and its partner, Second Harvest, which will allocate roughly 13 million pounds of food to communities in need.
“The project will focus on the distribution of a wide range products including fresh produce, processed potatoes, fish, seafood, meat products, and eggs. The total volume of food to be distributed is estimated at 13 million pounds. The immediate focus will be on the most perishable food products and those that require immediate processing,” remarked Ron Lemaire, CPMA President.
Alongside its allied partners, the association is collaborating across industry, charity, and indigenous organizations to carry out the distribution of identified surplus food in Canada’s supply chain.
It will donate the surplus food through CPMA’s partner Second Harvest and FoodRescue.ca to support Canada's most vulnerable populations.
“Historically, our industry has stepped forward when asked to support our community, and this year we have increased our efforts to support those in need, from our frontline workers to indigenous groups,” said Davis Yung, CPMA Chair. “I am very pleased that 10 percent of the product in this program will be targeting northern communities to ensure all Canadians are supported in these unique times.”
For those looking to support this initiative, a press release noted, charitable organizations, community groups, food banks, and other food hubs can register at FoodRescue.ca to be identified as a distribution point.
Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, added, “Food waste is a real issue in our country. During this crisis in particular, when so many people risk going hungry, we can’t afford to let good food go to waste. So many of our Canadian farmers are facing food surpluses right now—and this initiative will ensure perishable food is matched and distributed to local community groups that directly feed countless Canadians. Thank you to the Government of Canada for making this possible.”
To see how programs like this help the supply chain overall, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
