Local non-profit Harvest Algoma has launched a new social enterprise called Meals by Harvest, which sells food and puts the profits back into Harvest Algoma’s food security and food rescue programming. This December, they’re collecting pre-orders for holiday baking boxes— a delicious collection of baked goods for a great cause.
Harvest Algoma rescues food from grocery stores and other businesses and distributes it to over 60 agencies who feed community members in the Algoma area. In order to keep their operation financially sustainable, the team decided they needed a new social enterprise. “It was kind of a no-brainer,” says Lauren Moran, community enterprise manager at Harvest Algoma. “We could make these meals that we’re already making, and offer them up for sale to the public as well.”
Meals by Harvest volunteers, led by Chef Ron, make and sell oven-ready and microwave-safe meals like lasagna, cabbage rolls, pans of mac and cheese, pierogis, and all kinds of baked goods. They’ve put a small storefront area into the Harvest Algoma warehouse with a separate, public-facing entrance, where eager customers can pick up their orders.
Lauren says that one of the challenges that non-profits face is is a lack of awareness of what their organization is and what they do. When people come in to purchase or pick up their food, they can take the opportunity to learn more about what Harvest Algoma does to serve the community.
Meals by Harvest doesn’t offer delivery, but customers are able to view stock and prices on their website. They can also place an order and pay online, then pick up in-store. Lauren says that the store has been received warmly from people in the Sault Ste. Marie area. “It’s been great, we’ve gotten a lot of enthusiasm from the community at large.”
“Everybody’s got to eat, so it’s a convenient meal to feed your family,” Lauren adds. Plus, it feels good to support a non-profit. Rather than picking up a pre-made meal from a big grocery store, every dollar you spend goes back to Harvest Algoma, fighting food insecurity and waste.
Pre-orders for the holiday baking boxes are currently available on Meals by Harvest’s website, up until Sunday, December 15th at 5PM. Because Chef Ron loves generous portions, the 10x10 boxes contain 25-30 cookies. They cost $25 per box and contain an assortment of delights, such as sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, pumpkin loaf, ginger snaps, jam thumbprint cookies, and brownies.
Besides buying delicious food and holiday cookies from Meals by Harvest, locals can support Harvest Algoma by hosting food drives. Lauren says that sometimes it’s difficult for the organization to get shelf-stable items like pasta and canned goods from grocery stories, so those donations are appreciated. Fundraisers are also welcome, as receiving undesignated funds that non-profits can use for whatever they need is a huge benefit.
But additionally, Lauren adds that spreading the word is one of the biggest things you can do. “The more people know about what we’re doing and the impact we’re having, it helps with everything.”
Visit mealsbyharvest.ca/products/pre-order-holiday-baking-box to pre-order your holiday baking box.
For more information on Harvest Algoma and Meals by Harvest, visit Harvest Algoma and Meals by Harvest.