The Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) farming program donated produce, with a total retail value of more than $42,000, to the Richmond Food Bank.
The post-secondary’s Sustainable Agriculture program also sold more than $32,000 worth of produce at its Richmond farmers market, which is run between April and December by the Kwantlen Student Association.
According to a media statement, students in the program grew more than 15 tons of fresh produce this year at the farm school, located on the Garden City Lands just east of the Richmond campus.
During the pandemic, a few student employees were able to continue farming throughout the summer ‑‑ farms, farmers markets and food banks were deemed essential services by Emergency Management BC.
Students in the fall semester class also helped with production, from planting seeds to selling produce.
“When the pandemic is over, (the students) hope to see more of the food they grow available through campus food services,” reads the statement.
“They were delighted to help increase access to fresh produce in their community during a challenging year.”
