Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

For the past three weeks, the regular food deliveries to La Bouffe Additionelle from the Moisson Sud-Ouest have included very few fruits and vegetables. The food pantry relies heavily on the regional food bank for fresh produce, explains La Bouffe Additionnelle director Marine Mailloux. “Right now, it’s very sparse,” she says, noting their shelves are empty.

Mailloux says that she and her staff have resorted to buying fruit and vegetables at grocery stores to ensure their food baskets include a minimum of fresh produce. “We look in the flyers for the best discounts,” she explains, noting the organization sometimes receives gift cards as donations. Funds are also used to ensure baskets include milk and eggs as well.

“We prefer to save our cash donations and gift cards for the Christmas baskets, because we know so many count on us at that time,” Mailloux says, while acknowledging that the organization is already looking ahead to a difficult fall and Christmas season as demand for food aid continues to rise. “The gift cards and donations are my backup,” she explains.

In previous years, the food pantry has benefitted from donations of fruits and vegetables from locals, though the hot and dry temperatures have made this a difficult year for home gardens. Mailloux says La Bouffe can accept fruit and vegetables from backyard gardens. Donations do not have to be certified or come from an official farm. Rather than see surplus vegetables go to waste, Mailloux hopes gardeners will consider contributing any extras to be shared with those in need.

After returning from a recent family vacation, the owners of the Jardins Glenelm market garden in Elgin found themselves with an overstock of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers that were donated to La Bouffe Additionnelle. Mailloux notes that because of the organization’s ability to freeze and process fresh produce with a limited shelf life, they can avoid waste from larger donations.

The food pantry also recently received a generous donation of 136 kilograms of baked goods and products from the new owners of Le Verger du Pirate in Franklin. “We are always especially grateful for donations from our local collaborators,” says Mailloux, who admits they are especially happy when they can offer products from the region.

Mailloux explains that building positive relationships with area producers is important and can lead to innovative projects. She points to the Huntingdon County Farmers’ Market, which launched a special cider in celebration of its 20th anniversary in collaboration with Ferme Black Creek. One dollar from the sale of each bottle will be contributed to La Bouffe Additionnelle.

The food pantry will also be holding a fundraiser at the farmers’ market in Huntingdon on August 20. “We are trying to find solutions as best we can,” Mailloux says, noting the food pantry is always encouraged by the community’s support.