ICYMI

  • April 22, 2020

In Case You Missed It

It’s been over a month since COVID-19 put us all into lockdown mode, but as expected, Islanders have risen to the challenge of social/physical distancing and are doing their best to keep themselves and their communities safe.

We here at Salty have been noticing how many of our food producers, chefs, restaurants, and farmers are adapting to our new ‘normal’ by serving their communities in new ways. Here, in no particular order, are some of the activities, people, or programs  we think deserve to be celebrated.

Food for Truckers

Crossings Cafe in Borden-Carleton was due to open for the season on May 1, but they jumped into action a little early and opened their kitchen this month to coordinate free lunches for truck drivers. Owners Andrew and Joanne Wigston wanted to help feed the men and women who are crossing the Confederation Bridge daily to keep PEI supplied with the goods we need. In early April, they put out a call to the community who were interested in assisting, and by April 6 they were able to serve box lunches to over 150 truckers.

Many local businesses and community members have donated time, money, food, and supplies to the venture and the PEI government has joined in the effort with additional funding. The venture has taken off so quickly that the Wigstons are delaying opening their cafe for now, and will concentrate on this initiative. At last count, the number of boxed lunches passed out was over 2000.

Meals for All

Shout outs to Stir It Up! in Charlottetown, The Yellow House in Rustico, and South Shore Food Share who, with the help of many in their communities, have been providing free meals to those in need. John Pritchard, owner of Pure Kitchen Catering in Charlottetown, has also been busy whipping up inexpensive meals for delivery and using the funds to offer free meals for the food insecure.

Joanne and John Pritchard prepare pasta//Photo credit: Cheryl Young/Salty

As well, the school food program has been adapted to continue even though COVID-19 has shut down schools across PEI. Chef Steve Wilson has been busy making affordable meals for parents to pick up. As part of this, Caroline Farrell, owner of The Home Plate in Murray Harbour, has put her kitchen to good use by helping to prepare meals for school kids in Eastern PEI.

2020 Food and Farm Care Champions

Congratulations to this year’s Food and Farm Care Champions, Rayanne Frizzell and Deanna Doctor. As co-founders of Grassroots Dairy United, they bring dairy producers together to promote the dairy industry and educate consumers about the dairy industry and agriculture.

The Food & Farming Champion Award is presented to an individual, organization, or business who has taken the initiative to engage with consumers in a conversation about food and farming in PEI.

Frizsell is a familiar face in agriculture on PEI, holding positions with PEI Provincial Exhibitions and 4H PEI. She is a co-founder of the Atlantic Farm Women’s Conference with the goal of supporting, empowering, and educating women in agriculture.

Rayanne Frizzell, 2020 Food & Farming Champion //submitted photo

Doctor has immersed herself in the agricultural community. She works with her parents on their dairy farm in the Kensington area and is involved in all the major decision-making on the farm. She has shown leadership through her involvement with the Grassroots Dairy United and the Dairy Blue Christmas event, plus has been active in many organizations including the National Holstein Convention, Atlantic Jersey Association, and Young Breeders program.

Deanna Doctor, 2020 Food & Farming Champion //submitted photo

The pair were slated to receive their awards at the annual Food and Farm Care workshop in March, but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Is a feel-good food-related story happening in your community?

Let us know! Email or DM us on social media.

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About Cheryl Young

A “Jill of all trades” describes Cheryl to a T. From operating her own handyperson company, to selling luxury cars, to working as a film and TV crew member, her resume is diverse. But her dream as a kid was to be a journalist and she started down that path many years ago at CBC Charlottetown. Returning to her journalism roots, she’s excited to be editing Salty’s content and occasionally writing herself.

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