EDITOR'S NOTE: This story first appeared in MiltonToday.ca April 9.
Trudy Conlon enjoys the interaction; she’d just prefer there wasn’t so much of it.
“Unfortunately we have a lot of regulars, and unfortunately it (demand) increases pretty much every week,” said the Tremaine Market volunteer, busy checking out neighbours during another busy afternoon at Country Heritage Park (8560 Tremaine Rd.).
According to Food for Life community engagement manager Lori Brading, the local market – launched at the tail-end of the pandemic – has seen a 20 per cent increase in usage since the beginning of the year, with about 125 area residents accessing the service each Wednesday (1 to 6 p.m.).
Said Brading, “Many of the stories we hear are not just people not working. There’s families with two parents working and they’re still struggling to make ends meet.”
To address those challenges, Food for Life rescues and reroutes an average of 4,000 pounds of fresh food – meat, produce, breads and dairy – each week for its local market, with donations coming from various grocery stores, food wholesalers and farmers.
The amount and types of foods received varies, so when items not normally seen arrive at Country Heritage Park, it’s a welcome surprise.
“My daughter loves strawberries, so it’s great that they’re here today,” said Ashraf, a young father of two who moved here from Kashmir, India last year – preferring only to provide his middle name while loading up his bin. “It’s tough… food prices are shooting up. Hats off to these people who help out and are always so welcoming.”
For those unable to make it out to the market, Food for Life loads up a small team of Milton Optimists who deliver to more than two dozen area residents.
Tremaine Market volunteer Mary Brown makes one weekly drop-off herself once her Wednesday afternoon shift is complete.
“There’s a lot of people here… new Canadians, retirees, etc. We see a variety. Thank goodness we have this safety net, but I’m not sure it’s enough. (Food) is so expensive now.”
Brading pointed out Fortinos, Longo’s and Gordon Food Service being among the more generous donors, while some area farmers enter the picture once growing season is underway.
“Summer tends to be more plentiful, while January and February can be lean (for donations), but we just never know from week to week,” she admitted.
The Wednesday Tremaine Market is split between a 1 to 3 p.m. appointment-only stretch and a walk-in from 3 to 6 p.m.
Those looking to access the service can set up an account here. Only basic information is required, simply so that Food for Life can track numbers and demographics for grant applications.
How a person arrived at the organization’s doors is their own business.
“We don’t qualify anyone,” said Brading. “It’s already challenging and humbling to walk in and ask for help.”
To sign up as a volunteer or for all market inquiries, email [email protected].