The Trenton Care & Share Food Bank has a new Share Market open for business.
An open house was held on Wednesday for this shopping model, which is a shift from a traditional hamper model used in the past by the food bank.
This new Share Market will allow for families and individuals more choice in what food items they take home.
“(Under the former hamper model) you would show up, you would say how many members were in your family, the ages, etc. Then somebody would pre-pack a box in the back and come out and hand it to you, so you didn’t know what was in there. It was just whatever the food banks had, and they would give it to you, not knowing whether it was being used or not,” explained food bank general manager Craig Olivier.
It allows people to take a cart and walk around picking out what they are in need of, all between five and 15 minutes.
The initial response has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’ from regular users of the food bank, Olivier said.
“They’ll go along and just take the items they need and get out the door. They seem quite happy that they have the chance to make their choice as their own.”
Between 60 and 70-per cent of food banks in Ontario have transitioned to this model, Olivier noted.
As the chaos of the school year begins, Olivier encourages families and individuals to think about donating school snacks, peanut free snacks, fruit cups, granola bars and more to help out.
“We’re also finding that the increase in demand for specialty items like gluten-free items, diabetic items, low sodium items, special diets, etc. has become a much bigger demand for us.”
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, Hastings County Warden Bob Mullin, Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp and MP Chris Malette were on hand for the occasion.
More on the Trenton Care & Share Food Bank, including operating hours can be seen on its website.
