Building & Investing in the Community
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As a community-based initiative, the goals of the Fresh Food Box include more than just food delivery: Community development, environmentally-sound management of the program, volunteer support and development, nutrition education and food skill education (e.g. a newsletter), health promotion and dissemination of information to other groups, and political education and advocacy.
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Paying for these intangibles means that full economic self-sufficiency is difficult to attain, so diverse sources of funding, staff support and in-kind assistance – and especially a supportive host organization – are important.
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Everyone can participate, everyone pays – ensure participation by avoiding stigmatization. Promoting increased fresh fruit and vegetable consumption is a worthy goal for people of all income levels.
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Make the box meet the needs of low-income people and people on social assistance – e.g. have advance payment, then delivery when money and supplies are running low.
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Success rests upon the volunteer work of community members – build a relationship with volunteers that not only supports the programs, but enriches their lives.
Note: The Halton Fresh Food Box Steering Committee adopted and endorses these Good Food Box Principles as developed by FoodShare Toronto.
