Good Food Box
The Good Food Box offers fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices for all community members.
The program is volunteer-driven and volunteer-run with a staff program coordinator. Each order contains a copy of the Good Food News which is a monthly newsletter that highlights fruit and vegetable nutrition education and is produced by the Community Health Worker and Registered Dietitian.
If you’d like to donate to this program, you can purchase a box on behalf of someone else, and CRCHC staff will make sure it goes to an appropriate recipient. The Good Food Box benefits greatly from the generous donations of time and assistance by community-minded individuals and groups.
This program:
Helps people eat more vegetables and fruits each month.
Helps to reduce chronic disease like heart disease and diabetes.
Helps people to stretch a decreasing food dollar and to have more money to purchase other food items.
Helps to build healthier communities
How the program works
This program is a non-profit community initiative that helps residents access affordable fresh fruits and vegetables monthly (except August). A bulk order is placed to local distributors and producers. The quantity discounts and wholesale pricing means the boxes are always below market price.
Participants place orders with payment online or at their local host-site by the seventh of each month and pick-up on the third Tuesday of the month. Orders contain local produce when available and new collaborations with local farmers are continually sought after. The program runs monthly (excluding August).
How to order
Contact us for more information and ways to order. Soon, you’ll be able to order online! Subscribe to our newsletter so you’ll be updated when this option is available.
Suzanne Foreman
Community Health Worker
Country Roads Community Health Center, Portland Location
613-272-3302 x256
sforeman@crchc.on.ca
More information
What’s in a Good Food Box?
Items are selected according to what’s in season and affordable at the time of ordering. Here is a sample of what a Good Food Box might look like.
Large Box
5 lbs Potatoes
2 lbs Bananas
1/2 lb Mushrooms
2 lbs Carrots
2 lbs Onions
1 Leaf Lettuce
4 Apples
4 Oranges
1 Green Pepper
2 Tomatoes
1 English Cucumber
Small Box
5 lbs Potatoes
2 lbs Bananas
2 lbs Carrots
2 lbs Onions
2 Apples
2 Oranges
1 Tomato
1 English Cucumber
Fruit Bag
2 lbs Bananas
3 Apples
3 Oranges
2 Kiwis
2 Pears
Veggie Bag
2 Tomatoes
2 Zucchini
1 Red Onion
1 English Cucumber
2 Red Peppers
How do I pay for a Good Food Box?
You can pay online. Cash payments are also accepted at some locations, or or e-transfers can be sent to payments@crchc.on.ca with your host site, order option and phone number in the message box. Orders must be paid by the 7th of the month.
When will my order be ready for pick up?
Orders are ready for pick up at your host site on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Check with your host site for pick up times.
May I bring home the bin the produce is packed in?
No. Please bring bags or boxes with you to carry your order home.
Where can I pick up my order?
The Good Food Box has pick up locations at host sites around the region.
Delta: Rideau Lakes Public Library Delta Branch
Elgin: Pentecostal Church
Lombardy: Rideau Lakes Public Library South Elmsley
Morton: Morton Community Hall
Newboro: Newboro Community Hall
Portland: Country Roads Community Health Centre
Seeley’s Bay: Seeley’s Bay Legion
Westport: Mountain View Manor, Country Roads Community Health Centre
Athens: Free Methodist Church
Don’t see a host site in your community? Call us to discuss how one can be established.
Is the food in the Good Food Box local?
Some of the items are from local farms and the wholesaler provides as much Canadian produce as possible.
Who can order a Good Food Box?
Anyone can order a Good Food Box. You do not need to meet any criteria nor are you under any obligation. Try it once then order as often as you like. All are welcome.
Who can volunteer with the Good Food Box?
We welcome new volunteers for packing, deliveries, and to be host-site coordinators.
Proudly serving the North Leeds Area since 2004
“The Good Food Box program is great! I eat healthier now and can afford to with Country Roads. I can’t believe more people don’t use this program. I just love it!””
