Foodbank charity affected by U.S. cuts

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The purple “farms” are areas in North Durham that are donating a portion of their land to growing crops for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Taken from foodgrainsbank.ca

Because of the slash-and-burn policies that have been put into place by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, a Canadian Christian charity that aims to help food insecurity in developing countries is suffering.

As part of its moves to cut thousands of government workers under DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), funding for USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) was reduced considerably and thousands of workers laid off. USAID was one of the world's largest aid agencies, with missions in over 100 countries.

Rob Ashton, who farms in Scugog, is one of a number of farmers in North Durham who grow grains for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, an organization that provides both emergency food assistance and helps with long term development support. Ashton said that a number of plots around Durham Region are farmed for the program, alternating each year between corn and soybeans. He explained that the grain is sold and the money goes to the foodgrains bank to allow the purchase of commodities closer to the areas receiving assistance. Years ago, the grain was harvested, collected and sent overseas. He said the last corn crop amounted to about 200 tons.

Ashton said the Canadian Foodgrains Bank worked closely with USAID in the past.

"Now we have lost a partner," Ashton said. "It means fewer people helping out, fewer funds and people will die."

He said the foodgrains bank program will continue nevertheless, but added that "we're not going to help as many people."

Ashton figured he spends about 20 hours a year farming the grain and last year raised $35,000. He said the federal government matches the funds raised three-to-one.

He added his grandfather, Don Asling, was one of the original foodgrains bank farmers and started the local chapter years ago, along with farmers Floyd Evans and Orvan Brethour. Grant Evans, Floyd’s nephew, recounted how Floyd and his wife, Grace, travelled to Mozambique many years ago to see firsthand how the Canadian Foodgrains Bank initiative was working for the people for which it was intended.