Lethbridge Farmers’ Market partners to support local food banks

FCC’s Drive Away Hunger program will ensure four local food banks receive donations from generous Farmers’ Market vendors

Lethbridge, Alta. – One of Lethbridge’s most beloved summer traditions is once again supporting the community it calls home. The Saturday Lethbridge Farmers’ Market presented by UFA begins this week and once again, produce donated by the market’s vendors will be donated to local food banks through FCC’s Drive Away Hunger program.

Since 2023, the Drive Away Hunger program, facilitated by FCC has given local vendors the opportunity to donate leftover food products from the Saturday Farmers’ Market to Drive Away Hunger, which are then distributed to the Interfaith Food Bank and the Lethbridge Food Bank. New for 2025, the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market is expanding the way it supports food security initiatives across the community by also partnering with the University of Lethbridge’s Food for Thought program and Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association (LPSA). 

“Our city’s post-secondary institutions are such important parts of our community, and we wanted to show our support for their students and the important work being done by the on-campus food programs,” says Sydney Koppe, Director, Community Engagement, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “Lethbridge & District Exhibition has collected food donations from Lethbridge Farmers’ Market vendors for many years, but the partnership with Drive Away Hunger formalizes the process and ensures a maximum amount of available food is delivered to help clients of the food banks and food security programs across our community,”

In 2024, Lethbridge Farmers’ Market vendors donated 4,604 pounds of food to local food banks. According to Drive Away Hunger, that is the equivalent of more than $16,000 in donations. In total, the program has produced over $38,000 worth of donations for the food banks through its first two years.

Drive Away Hunger is a Canada-wide campaign led by the agriculture and food industry, devoted to feeding as many Canadians as possible. Last year, the industry worked together to provide 514 million meals to people across Canada.

“Local producers invest time, money and passion into the fresh produce, meat and other items featured at Farmer’s Markets,” says Danielle McIntyre, Executive Director with Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge. “Sharing unsold product with our local food banks ensures that this good food goes to people before landfills, and helps to support a healthy diet for those struggling with food insecurity.  We are exceptionally grateful to receive the surplus from the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market as it provides a lot of the fresh items that are more difficult to come by, and are often out of reach financially for low income families.”

“The University of Lethbridge is grateful to the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market vendors and the UFA for generously supporting students at the University through the FCC’s Drive Away Hunger program,” says Kathleen Massey, Vice Provost, Students, University of Lethbridge. “This collaboration with the University’s Food for Thought program will go a long way toward making nutritious food available to the twenty percent of students at the University who regularly struggle with access to sufficient, affordable, and healthy food.”

“The Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association is excited to partner with the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market and the FCC’s Drive Away Hunger program this Fall,” says Angela Fretts-Waters, Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association Services Coordinator. “Last academic year the LPSA Student Food Bank provided 388 food hampers to students. This is almost double what was given out in previous years. With the current prices of fresh produce, students do not always have access to those fresh products. This program will help to support our students beyond what is already in place on campus.”

“The Lethbridge Food Bank is grateful to once again partner with FCC, Lethbridge & District Exhibition, the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market, and Interfaith Food Bank for the Drive Away Hunger campaign,” says Valerie Lazicki, Executive Director, Lethbridge Food Bank. “We are pleased to welcome the University of Lethbridge Food for Thought program and Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association to the partnership. The Lethbridge Food Bank proudly stands together with these partners in supporting our community with access to fresh and nutritious food in an open and accessible environment, free of judgement.”

To get involved with Drive Away Hunger and support food security efforts across the community, please contact farmersmarket@agrifoodhub.ca.

Saturday Lethbridge Farmers’ Market presented by UFA returns this weekend

The Lethbridge Farmers’ Market season is upon us once again, as the Saturday Lethbridge Farmers’ Market presented by UFA kicks off its season on Saturday.

The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday in the UFA Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre. Admission is free and the market features healthy food options, unique household items, and much more. As Lethbridge’s only Alberta-approved farmers’ market, the market places a priority on items made, baked and grown in Alberta.

Adding to the excitement are a series of theme days throughout the market season, beginning with YQL Fibre Fun on “International Knit in Public Day” on Saturday, June 14. The event will highlight the art of knitting/spinning, promote local artisans, and encourage creativity and sustainability within our community. YQL Fibre Fun will be an opportunity for both experienced knitters and beginners to come together to craft, share tips, and enjoy the atmosphere of the market.

“We know the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market is an event our community looks forward to each year, and we are thrilled to add even more reasons for people to come experience the market,” says Deborah Gordon, Director, Client Services, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “With interactive demonstrations, live music, fresh hot food, and more, the market provides much more than just a shopping experience.”

Shoppers are encouraged to park in the south lot of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre and visit vendors both indoors in the UFA Hall and outdoors, outside of the venue’s south entrance.

Learn more at lethbridgefarmersmarket.ca.