Biz Buzz: Food box program a winner all around
A collaboration between Western Montana Growers Cooperative and Lake County Community Development Corporation has led to the distribution of nearly 8,500 food boxes to families in need in western Montana since July, and an additional 1,000 will be distributed by mid-December.
The project was funded mainly by a Farmers to Families Food Box contract under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Additional funding from the Headwaters Foundation, Montana Farmers Union and the USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program grant helped extend the program past August.
The aim of the program was to provide fresh, locally-sourced produce to families in need while supporting local farmers who lost markets due to closures of schools and restaurants.
Distribution sites for the boxed meals include Salish Kootenai College Community Health and Development Department, Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry, Ronan Bread Basket, Arlee Community Development Corporation, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Montana Co-op, Flathead Reservation Community Action and All Nations Health Center.
The final distribution day for the food boxes will be Dec. 17. In addition to fresh, regionally-sourced produce, the remaining boxes will also include local eggs and cheese to add sources of protein and expand the nutritional value.
Organizers were also able to purchase turkeys for the November and December holidays, which will be distributed with the food boxes to the partner distribution sites.
For more information about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, contact Anne Harney of LCCDC at 406-676-5927 or anne.harney@lakecountycdc.org.
A new People’s Center rises
Three months after a fire destroyed The People's Center museum and gift shop in Pablo, the doors are open on the center’s new, temporary site in St. Ignatius.
The gift shop opened Monday morning inside the building that was once Altitude Restaurant, on Highway 93.
“We are excited to be opening again,” Director Marie Torosian said in a Nov. 26 Lake County Leader article. “It will be a new beginning, starting over, picking up the pieces.”
The gift shop will open first, but the new building has space for a gallery and educational programs that will follow.
Be the Light in Ronan
The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Be the Light holiday decoration contest, with prizes for businesses as well as residents.
Dress up your home or business with your best holiday spirit and send a photo to secretary@ronanchamber.com. The deadline for entries is Dec. 22.
First place for best decorated home receives $300 in Chamber Bucks, good at any Chamber business in Ronan. Second place will get $200 in Chamber Bucks.
The winner in the business category gets a free one-year bronze membership to the Chamber.
If you have local business news or developments you’d like to share for our Biz Buzz column, email Editor Scot Heisel at sheisel@leaderadvertiser.com.