Tax credit helps farmers donate, but lots of food still wasted

Nova Scotia's largest network of food banks has seen both a jump in the number of farmers donatingand in donationsof fresh produce, a spokeswoman says.

More farmers likelyare taking advantage of a new tax credit established by the province in May, said KarenTheriaultof Feed Nova Scotia.

The tax creditgives a farm 25 per cent of the market value of all fresh produce donated to organizations, such asFeed Nova Scotia, which supplies food banks across the province.

"We've been super excited about that immediate response," Theriault said. "ButI think that we're just scratching the surface."

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Further to go

She said sheexpects more farmers to donate as they learn about the new tax credit. Alreadythousands more kilograms of food have been donated.

In August, produce donations were up 29,000 kilogramsover last year, she said. Those donations are coming from a larger group of donors, too. In September, 13 farmers donated. In the same month last year, only three gave.

"It's definitely helping," Theriault said. "But are we anywhere near where we need to be? No."

Canning, N.S., vegetable farmer Richard Melvin agreed.

"It's a small step, in relative terms, but none the less, a positive one," Melvin said, referring to the new tax credit.

'Perfectly healthy diet' possible

Melvinsaid there is still too much food goingto waste in farmer's fields. It's either too small or not cosmetically suitable, and isn't worth the cost to harvest, he said.

"When you're in our boots, and you see the amount of good food that stays behind in fields, it's just astronomical," Melvin said.

"There's no reason on earth that anybody in Nova Scotia should not have access to a perfectly healthy diet seven days a week, all year round."

'Creative thinking' needed

Melvin estimated as much as 30 to40 per cent of the province's agricultural product is wasted because there is no market value for farmers.

"There's some creative thinking that needs to be brought to bear in terms of public policy of how to harness that," he said.

"We as farmers are more than glad to help out."

Melvin suggested farmers could work directly with charitable groups to bring the cost of food down for food banks, while giving farmers a market for their product.

For example, if a food bank needed to buy produce, it could go to a farmer directly and pay a fraction of the price the grocery store charges.

He addedvolunteers could help harvest donations for food banks.