GM Canada and Durham Sustain Ability Supporting Local Farming Community

WHITBY, Ontario - Dec. 6, 2017 - PRLog -- Durham Sustain Ability (DSA) is thrilled to share the successful pilot of their new program DPPG Farms @ Work. The purpose of DPPG Farms @ Work is to give businesses the opportunity to act as a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) collective drop off point, connecting their staff with shares of locally grown produce throughout the growing season. Typically, individuals and families would buy in to a CSA program, choosing to have weekly, biweekly or monthly shares delivered to their homes.

GM Canada piloted this program, beginning in the spring of 2017, with drop off locations at their Headquarters and Canadian Technical Centre in Oshawa. Durham Sustain Ability (DSA) connected Simon Guan of GM Canada with Rebecca Jeschke, Manager of the CSA program at Forsythe Family Farms, at the beginning of the year. Rebecca then gave a presentation to GM staff about their CSA program, with a significant response resulting in over 40 staff members purchasing weekly and bi-weekly CSA shares from Forsythe Family Farms which are delivered weekly to the GM Canada Headquarters.

GM has calculated that by purchasing local food, with collective drop off locations, they have avoided emitting 8000 kg of C02. GM staff feel good knowing that the produce in their CSA boxes traveled a mere 250 km, as opposed to the 2500 km average footprint of produce purchased in grocery stores.

"It is great to see GM employees engaged and actively taking steps to support local farmers, reduce their carbon footprint and prepare meals for their families and friends with locally grown produce" remarked Lauren Fowler, Durham Sustain Ability Marketing and Outreach Coordinator.

In addition to providing GM employees and their families with healthy, fresh and local food DPPG Farms @ Work has fostered a sense of community among employees, is an added work perk and offers an opportunity for community outreach through Forsythe's Giving Garden program.

If you would like your business to participate in DPPG Farms @ Work in 2018 please contact Lauren@sustain-ability.catoday.