Year one: God’s Little Acre farm (GLA) produced 62,000 lbs. of potatoes from three acres, all donated to Surrey Food Bank.
Year two: GLA produced approximately the same volume (eight acres) of mixed vegetables that were shared by Maple Ridge, South Surrey, Surrey and other food banks.
This year, GLA has expanded to a second farm with a total production area of 34 acres.
The estimated product grown for charities is 90,000 lbs. of carrots, 60,000 lbs. of red potatoes, 40,000 lbs. of mixed squash, and 15,000 lbs. of cucumbers.
Also, there will be 60,000 lbs. of pumpkins for two schools to raise funds for inner-city lunch programs and other fundraising.
The whopping total this year is 265,000 lbs. in the ground and a good portion ready to harvest.
But as of early August, the product is starting to rot in the ground due to the lack of volunteers.
None of this product will get out unless the public hears our request for volunteers.
The farm has its usual volunteers, but they can hardly keep up with weeding and can only do minimal harvesting.
We expect that we will need 100 volunteers every Saturday to get the product out. Most of the crops will survive sitting in the ground, however we desperately need awareness.
Every volunteer receives free produce and any food bank recipient who is a volunteer can load up. Seniors and disabled/single parents are all welcome to receive.
Volunteer days are every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 31, and every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until dark at 16582 40 Ave.
Special arrangements can be made for corporate groups.
Please come to the farm for a visit. Call me at 604-375-1172 or email jassingh65@hotmail.com
Cucumbers are available to pick up daily – please order in advance or just show up on Saturdays.
For more information, visit http://godslittleacrefarm.com/
Jas Singh