Volunteers greater asset than tax credits
A proposed federal incentive for retailers donating food items would likely do more in other communities, says Food Rescue volunteers
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Friday, November 13, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Despite the best intentions of a proposed federal tax credit policy to reduce food waste in Canada, it's more volunteers not financial incentives that one Yellowknife organization needs to keep food out of landfills.
Marg Henderson, left, and Lesley Singer both volunteer kitchen managers at Food Rescue, sort through the day's shipment of food donations from local grocery stores. Both say Yellowknife retailers already donate generously without any tax incentive in place, and what the organization needs is more volunteers. - James Goldie/NNSL photo |
Since 2008, Yellowknife Food Rescue has served as a central hub for food donations from suppliers (mainly the city's three largest grocery stores), which are then distributed to community organizations and schools that then deliver these food items directly to people in need. The National Zero Food Waste Council of Canada is proposing a federal policy that would provide tax credits to grocery stores and retailers for any food items donated to charitable organizations like Food Rescue.
Business incentive
The idea is such a policy would give businesses owners an incentive to think twice about throwing away food that can't be sold but is still perfectly edible.
Linda McConnell is on Food Rescue's board of directors and said that in theory the policy is a good thing, although she's not sure it would make a huge difference here.
"It would definitely be nice to have a tax incentive or financial incentive for retailers to participate. Having said that, the retailers in Yellowknife have been great. We haven't really had any resistance to that donation," she said.
McConnell said she thinks that having a centralized organization in the community that handles the collection and distribution of food donations has made it easier for retailers to get involved. Food Rescue operates Monday to Friday, making daily trips to the Co-op and both Independent grocery stores and then in turn sorting the donated items and delivering them to the community groups running food programs.
"I don't think there are many places in Canada that have something like Food Rescue," she said.
Marg Henderson, a kitchen manager at Food Rescue, said what the organization really needs are more volunteers.
"Volunteers are key to our operation," she said, adding that Food Rescue's driver is the only paid position at the organization. Everything else from contacting suppliers and community groups, sorting and packing donations and coordinating Food Rescue's busy schedule is left up to volunteers, most of whom are seniors.
Council motion presented
"There's always something to do," she said.
On Oct. 26, then-councillor Dan Wong presented a motion for Yellowknife city council to endorse the food waste tax incentive policy and to bring its resolution to the upcoming Federation of Canadian Municipalities AGM; however, the motion was defeated.
"As a city, if we want to do more I don't think we have to wait on the federal government to develop a tax incentive," said councillor Rebecca Alty, adding that she appreciates the initiative's intent. "If we want to lobby the federal government to do something to improve the social issues in our community, I think our energy would be better spent on a different issue."
Adrian Bell echoed these sentiments, as well as what was told to Yellowknifer by Food Rescue.
"I think we have a proven track record … Our retailers, our grocery retailers, our restaurants have done exceptional jobs over the years of giving, giving, giving when folks are in a time of need," he said.
Justin Nelson, general manager of the Yellowknife Co-op, which has donated to Food Rescue since the group first formed, said their support would not change with or without an incentive policy but one would certainly be a "fantastic" addition the work they are doing anyway.
"I think that would really get a lot of businesses that aren't doing it on board," he said. "I'm sure there are businesses out there who do not do it … It's a lot easier to throw (food) in the garbage than it is to keep it cold for the next day or gather it up."
