The crunch of dry stalks and the earthy scent of freshly dug potatoes filled the air this weekend as hundreds of volunteers descended upon a 15-acre field west of Edmonton for the annual Parkland Harvest Festival. What began as a modest community initiative has blossomed into one of the region’s most meaningful agricultural celebrations, combining the age-old tradition of harvest with the modern imperative of addressing food insecurity.
“This is the last call for potatoes,” announced Kory Baker-Henderson, executive director of the Parkland Food Bank, as volunteers of all ages scoured the field for remaining tubers. “We’ve had an incredible turnout this year, possibly our largest yet, and the impact will be felt throughout our community for months to come.”
The festival, now in its ninth year, has evolved into a crucial source of fresh produce for local food banks. This year’s harvest yielded approximately 22,700 kilograms of potatoes – a remarkable bounty that will be distributed to food assistance programs across the Parkland region. Half of the harvest goes directly to the Parkland Food Bank, while the remainder is shared with Edmonton’s food bank and other community organizations.
Behind the festival’s success lies an impressive network of cooperation. Local farmer John Bocock generously donated the use of his land, while the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove provided essential logistical support and volunteer coordination. Equipment dealers contributed harvesting machinery, and dozens of local businesses offered sponsorships to cover operational costs.
“What makes this event special is how it connects people directly to their food source while simultaneously addressing hunger in our community,” explained Rotary Club president Margaret Wilson. “Many children who come here have never seen how potatoes grow or understood the labor involved in bringing food to their tables.”
The significance of this year’s harvest extends beyond education. According to recent data from Food Banks Canada, Alberta has experienced a 90% increase in food bank usage since 2019, with nearly 170,000 Albertans – including 60,000 children – relying on food banks each month. These statistics highlight the growing challenge of food insecurity, particularly as inflation continues to strain household budgets.
“Each potato harvested today represents a meal for someone in need,” Baker-Henderson emphasized. “When you consider that one in six children in our region lives in a food-insecure household, the importance of this community effort becomes clear.”
The festival has become a tradition for many local families. The Johnsons, who have participated for four consecutive years, brought three generations to help with the harvest. “It’s become our way of giving back,” said Ellen Johnson, watching her children fill buckets with potatoes. “The kids learn about farming, volunteering, and community responsibility all in one day.”
Educational components have expanded at the festival, with agricultural experts offering impromptu lessons on soil health, sustainable farming practices, and the importance of local food systems. The Parkland Agricultural Society provided demonstrations of both traditional and modern harvesting techniques, bridging past and present farming methods.
“We’re not just harvesting potatoes here,” observed agronomist David Rennie. “We’re cultivating community resilience and food literacy – skills that are increasingly vital in uncertain times.”
As trucks laden with potatoes departed for processing and distribution centers, Baker-Henderson reflected on the evolving nature of food security work: “Events like this remind us that addressing hunger isn’t just about emergency response – it’s about building sustainable systems and connections between those who grow food and those who need it most.”
As the sun set on another successful harvest festival, the question lingering in many minds was both simple and profound: In a province blessed with agricultural abundance, how might we extend this spirit of community and sharing to ensure no table goes without throughout the year?
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