The Athabasca Native Friendship Centre is bringing in some fresh fruits and vegetables on a monthly basis, helping people save money at the same time.
This month marks the first of many that the centre will be participating in the non-profit “WECAN Food Basket Society,” which puts together baskets of fruits, vegetables and meats at the end of every month for $25.
The unique food basket program works to ensure that everyone can get some fresh groceries at the end of the month.
“It’s important to remember it’s not a food hamper – it’s a food basket,” said Renee Sibera, Native Friendship Centre program director. “Because people are paying for it, there’s a lot of dignity in it. It’s not a handout. This way, it just helps to make sure you have some fresh food in your fridge at the end of the month.”
Sibera said people have the option to pay either $10 for a produce order – consisting of three types of fruit and three types of vegetables – $15 for a meat order with three varieties of fresh meat, or $25 for both.
People then pick up their orders from the Native Friendship Centre on the second-last Friday.
“It’s just month by month as well,” Sibera said. “So if you’re not interested in it for one month, it’s no problem at all. It’s convenient, too, because there’s at least one Friday of the month you don’t have to go shopping.”
Participants in the basket program also save money on their grocery bill. According to a monthly WECAN brochure, this month’s basket could save each person $20.
Native Friendship Centre executive director Laureen Houle said people can also donate baskets by ordering them other people, which some participants have already started to do.
“We have a lady who came in and picked hers up, and said she just wants to buy four in December and just leave them for somebody who might need them,” Houle said.
Those who wish to participate can register and put in their order at the Native Friendship Centre before the first Friday of every month.
