Camrose Open Door takes over Good Food Box program
By Dan Jensen

The Camrose Open Door Association has taken over the coordination of the Good Food Box program.

"We were approached last spring about taking it over by the previous operators of the program and thought it would fit in well with the Open Door mandate," explained Camrose Open Door Association executive director Randal Nickel.

"It helps the youth who access our services by encouraging them to eat good foods like fruits and vegetables, and provides those foods at a price that they can handle."

The program also provides a value to the general community.

Good Food Box is a membership-based program which makes it easy to purchase fruits and vegetables. Members simply place their orders with the Open Door, then pick them up on the third Monday of the month, between 1 and 6 p.m.

"We charge $10 for a regular-sized box and $15 for a large-sized box," said Good Food Box program coordinator Selina Dahl. "The payment has to be received at least a week in advance of delivery so we can determine how much we need to buy from the supplier and leverage to get the most for the dollar."

The yearly cost of membership is $10.

"It is basically a buyers' club for produce," said Nickel. "It saves people time since they don't have to go to the store to shop, and it saves them money because they are always assured of getting their money's worth."

A typical box from the Good Food Box program includes two pounds of potatoes, two pounds of carrots, five or six apples and oranges, an onion, and other types of fruit.

"A single $10 box has a value of between $20 and $25," stated Dahl.

The Open Door packed 52 food boxes for the first day of distribution August 16. The boxes that are not picked up are distributed to the Open Door's outreach program or shared with Camrose agencies and organizations, like Teaching Independent Parenting Skills, Brigantia Place or Learning Together.

"We have some people who buy the boxes for someone else," said Dahl.

"In cases like that the people who are picking up the food box are required to show a receipt."

Produce is inspected before it is placed in the boxes to ensure good quality. Discounts are usually given on the next order day for any items that have been damaged or spoiled.

The Good Food Box program has enjoyed good success since it was started in Camrose eight years ago. The program also operates in the rural areas of Daysland,  Killam, Sedgewick, Tofield, Rosalind and Bashaw.

Good Food Box members may volunteer if they wish, but it is not required. More information about the program may be obtained by calling the Camrose Open Door Association at (780) 679-6803.