Healthy food boxes proving to be popular in Rainy River

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Looking for a way to get more locally grown vegetables and other health foods into your diet?
Well the Rainy River area Health Communities Coalition and the Clover Valley Farmer’s Market of Fort Frances have just the thing for you.
The Healthy Food Box program started in Rainy River about a year ago after the HCC saw the concept in action in Fort Frances. HCC member Heidi Ivall said, “We liked it because it promotes healthy eating and it gives folks access to fresh vegetables/fruit at a cost savings.”
Anyone can participate in the program and Ivall said they deliver about 30 boxes per month to Rainy River. The cost is $25 per month and Ivall said the contents of the box would cost more than that in stores because the HCC and Clover Valley buy the goods in bulk or provide locally grown items whenever possible to keep costs down and offer the best possible produce.
Items are often seasonal. In other words as area producers have produce available throughout the year, they are placed in the boxes. All boxes are the same and are well filled.
People interested in them can order one at the Northwestern Health Unit in Rainy River on or before the first Thursday of the month. They then can pick them up on the third Thursday of the month at the Rainy River Recreation Centre.
Ivall said that HCC liked it because it promotes healthy living and the Farmers like it because it promotes locally grown produce (as much as possible). Other items like fruits that can not be grown here or items out of season like tomatoes in the winter are purchased in bulk when necessary.
The program is available in Rainy River, Emo, Fort Frances and Atikokan. People from areas outside of Rainy River can contact Ivall at 852-3268 and she will get you connected to your local program.