Tax credit may help farmers donate more fresh food

The growing season is coming to a close for many farmers, but local food banks are already looking ahead to next year.

The Ontario Progressive Conservatives have proposed an amendment to the Local Food Act that would give farmers a tax credit for donating unsold crops, and the manager of theSudburyFood Bank hopes to see the law passed before the next growing season.

As you can see, [there's] a lot of good product in there. Spaghetti sauces, beans, canned fruit, that kind of stuff. Were getting a fair bit, DanXilonsaid.It would be nice if we could add a bushel of apples to that.

'We should be compensated'

Only about 25 per cent of what the food bank collects is fresh food,Xilonsaid, and added he would like to see that number rise to about 50 per cent.

He said fewer than a dozen local farmers donate to the food bank inSudbury,which serves an estimated 14,000 people everymonth.

We havent really talked to farmers, because we havent had a lot to offer them, he said.Now if this tax credit goes through, Ill be showing up on their doorsteps.

The owner of Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls saysshe wants to donate more food, but she needs an incentive.

Were paying to pick the fruit and vegetables, so we should be compensated a bit, DianeDesChateletsexplained.There is waste that could be given away.

While officials with food banks hope the proposed legislationwill be passed, the cost may be hard to swallow politically,as the Progressive Conservatives estimate the proposal would mean $750,000 in lost tax revenue each year.