In a remarkable display of agricultural generosity that has become a cherished annual tradition, Alberta farmer Harold Perry has delivered another staggering donation to the Red Deer Food Bank this season. This year’s contribution of 27,497 kilograms of fresh potatoes arrives at a critical time when food insecurity continues to challenge many Alberta families.
“These potatoes will help feed thousands of people,” remarked Mitch Thomson, Executive Director of the Red Deer Food Bank. “With demand for our services increasing by nearly 40% over the last year alone, contributions of this magnitude make an extraordinary difference in our ability to provide nutritious food options.”
Perry, whose farm has been operating for generations in central Alberta, has transformed what began as a modest gesture into a substantial annual contribution that the food bank now anticipates each harvest season. What distinguishes this donation is not merely its impressive volume but also its nutritional impact, as potatoes provide essential calories, fiber, and nutrients to families experiencing food insecurity.
The Red Deer Food Bank reports that such large-scale fresh produce donations significantly enhance their ability to provide balanced dietary options. According to their distribution specialists, potatoes remain one of the most versatile and universally accepted items, appreciated by nearly all client demographics regardless of cultural background or cooking abilities.
“We’re increasingly seeing working families who simply can’t stretch their paychecks far enough visiting our service,” Thomson added. “Fresh produce is typically the first category to be eliminated from tight grocery budgets, making donations like these particularly valuable.”
This contribution arrives against a backdrop of concerning economic trends across Alberta, where inflation has disproportionately affected food costs. Data from Statistics Canada indicates that food prices in the province have risen approximately 5.8% year-over-year, outpacing general inflation and creating additional pressure on household budgets.
Perry’s generosity has inspired similar initiatives from other agricultural producers in the region, creating what food bank administrators describe as a “ripple effect of giving” throughout central Alberta’s farming community. Several neighboring operations have begun contributing seasonal crops on a smaller but meaningful scale.
“I’m fortunate to be able to grow more than I need,” Perry explained with characteristic modesty. “These potatoes would otherwise go to waste, and there are people who can benefit from them. It’s as simple as that.”
The food bank’s logistics team worked diligently to process the massive donation, with volunteers sorting and packaging the potatoes for immediate distribution. The organization estimates that this single contribution will supplement food hampers for approximately 9,000 individuals over the coming weeks.
As food security issues continue to affect communities across Canada, these direct farm-to-food-bank connections represent an increasingly important component of the social safety net. The Canadian Association of Food Banks reports that nearly 1.5 million Canadians accessed food bank services in 2023, with Alberta showing some of the steepest increases in demand.
As this remarkable donation makes its way to dinner tables across central Alberta, one question remains particularly poignant: In a province blessed with such agricultural abundance, how might we better bridge the gap between our productive capacity and the persistent reality of hunger in our communities?
