Community vegetable program bringing 4,000 pounds of fresh produce to Labrador Inuit

Ed Mesher has been going door-to-door this summer, delivering some 4,000 pounds of fresh local produce to Happy Valley-Goose Bay residents who use the community freezer program.

Run by the Nunakatiget Inuit Corporation, the program has more than 150 beneficiaries in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Mud Lake.

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The program provides 400 pounds of greens, 1,600 pounds of carrots and turnip, and 2,000 pounds of potatoes to the community's seniors and disabled.

"We grew up in a big family, growing potatoes and greens and stuff," Mesher said. "Over the years I became more interested in it."

In 2014, he started with the board of directors for the Nunakatiget group. The idea was his, Mesher said, and it took off from there.

"I know it's helping people because they're very thankful," he said. "It's healthy food."

Program huge benefit to people with disabilities

One of those thankful people is Geoff Lyall, who has lived in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for 17 years.

Being totally blind, Lyall feels a huge benefit from the door-to-door delivery program. He learned to cope with his disability while living in St. John's and Halifax, where everything was more accessible.

"Getting around out there was much easier than it is here," he said. "Almost every other corner there was a grocery store."

With the spaciousness of Labrador living, he can no longer walk everywhere he needs to go. That's one reason the vegetable delivery is so handy, Lyall said.

"It saves me a trip to the store, which is usually in a taxi, so it's saving me money, too."

The vegetables are also free, which is a benefit for people living on low or fixed incomes. Lyall, who lives with his mother, said they don't always have much left at the end of the month. They sometimes have to sacrifice healthy foods for canned goods to make ends meet.

Every dollar counts

The vegetable drop-off saves them about $50 a month, he said, which can make all the difference.

"At the end of the month, after rent and various bills, every bit helps," Lyall said.

Mesher would love to see the program expand and serve more people, with more farms involved. For now, he is happy knocking and doors and bringing health and wellness into people's lives.

"The price of food is going up like crazy around here in the last few years," he said. "The price of rent, the price of food, the price of fresh food. I'm glad we are able to help."