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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 8, 2010 · 10 Join the celebration Concerns expressed about food redistribution fees By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER HAPPY CANADA DAY: Sa'ad Dustagheer (left) and Dania Mansoor wave their Canadian flags during the Masjid Noorul Haram, World Islamic Mission (Canada), annual Family Day and Canada Day celebration on July 1at 2478 Ninth Line. Surplus food redistribution for Halton's lowincome residents is flourishing, but fees for participating organizations are worrying some councillors. Concerns were expressed at Halton's health and social services committee Tuesday during an update of collaboration among food distribution agencies. A key element is ReFresh Foods, which has collected more than 570,000 pounds of surplus food from manufacturers and distributors from its inception in December, 2008 to May, 2010. Donations of perishable and non-perishable items are redistributed to three Halton food banks and nine social service agencies at 14 locations. Participating organizations pay fees of $500 to $3,800 annually. "Can you make me believe there's a need for a fee?" asked Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "I'm not seeing how it adds to people meeting their responsibilities. I don't buy that you have to charge a fee." He said the fees are a barrier for some food banks. "I have a hang-up about using tax dollars for a program that excludes most food banks," said Burton. "We don't want to accidentally or otherwise continue a two-tier food program," he said. ReFresh Foods' current $360,000 budget includes $160,000 in funding from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund. The Region hasn't yet made any future funding commitments. Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll said when ReFresh Foods (a Food for Life Canada program) started, he was told fees wouldn't be an impediment. "Now I'm hearing today that this is an impediment that is challenging organizations," he said. Knoll said he's worried the fees could be insurmountable for some organizations. "It's very difficult for charities to raise money nowadays." ReFresh Foods representatives noted fees contribute to costs of operating the distribution hub and are based on amounts of food received. Blair Richardson said member agencies pay fees and sign contracts that ensure food is handled carefully. "The member organizations are those that can handle larger amounts of food," he added. Charlotte Redekop-Young, another ReFresh Foods representative, noted one member organization paid $3,800, but saved more than $20,000 through the food received over a few months. Redekop-Young added no organizations have been turned down and she hasn't heard that fees were an issue. "There are similar programs charging fees." The ReFresh Food representatives noted its refrigerated truck and warehouse enable it to obtain large food donations. It has 26 suppliers in Halton and occasionally obtains food from outside the region, but it doesn't compete with food banks. Richardson said ReFresh Food sends inventory every week to members, which provide their shopping lists. ReFresh Foods gets the food they want, in the quantities they want, to support their clientele," he said. The committee recommended receiving staff's update and seeking a further report on individual food banks and the impact of ReFresh Foods' fees. LET US DESIGN YOUR LANDSCAPE STARTING AT $150.00 INCL. TAX Book Now and Pay the GST Only! 31 DUNDAS ST. E. (HWY 5) WATERDOWN, ON L9H 7H8 (Offer valid until July 31/10) Showroom 905.689.1880 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR Member of Landscape Ontario Est. 1993 www.oasisgardendesign.com Rural Heritage Traditions July 10th & 11th 12pm - 5pm · 1830 Cassin farmstead · 1870 Lucas farmstead · Rag rug hooking · Ice cream making · 1928 Women's Institute building · McDuffe John Deere dealership · Ford garage · Country Canteen open · Kid's scavenger hunt and prizes 8560 Tremaine Rd., Milton 905-878-8151 Check out our website for all our summer events! www.countryheritagepark.com Daily admission: Adults $7, Children $4, Family Package: $20 (Some events differ) Programs subject to change.