Windsor Downtown Mission Grows Food Rescue Program, Merges Forgotten Harvest Canada into Mission Family of Programs.
Windsor Downtown Mission takes on county wide food pickups and deliveries that feed hungry people
Forgotten Harvest Canada has transitioned its vital food rescue program to the Windsor Downtown Mission. The program will continue to operate, ensuring that food recovery of edible fresh and prepared food will not go to waste and will be distributed to hungry people in Windsor and Essex County. The realignment of Forgotten Harvest’s services with the Downtown Mission became effective April 4, 2016.
“The Mission is pleased that we can continue to provide this vital food rescue and security program. This is an important program currently feeding our community with 22 deliveries to schools, 6 food banks, 10 community programs and one shelter. In addition we exchange food with 3 organizations and make occasional deliveries to 6 other organizations as needed. In terms of volume, this program delivers over 1.25 pounds of food to organizations that feed the hungry of Windsor-Essex,” said Ron Dunn Executive Director/CEO, Downtown Mission.
The Windsor Downtown Mission has accepted ownership of Forgotten Harvest’s refrigerated truck, related equipment and will employ the organization’s two staff members as well as welcome volunteers to the Mission family.
Forgotten Harvest worked closely with 32 food donors that included greenhouses, producers, processors and grocery stores. These relationships are extremely valued and will be strengthened by the Downtown Mission helping to ensure a secure source of food for people in need.
“The Downtown Mission also rescues food, but on a smaller scale. This new development is an opportunity to expand and improve the efficiency of our food rescue program. Food recovery supplements donations of food to local food banks and helps provide a greater variety of healthy food, especially fresh fruit and vegetables,” said Ron Dunn

