The Syngenta team was hard at work this fall harvesting fresh produce to help fight food insecurity in local communities. Combining yields from both the Honeywood Research Facility and Elm River Research Farm, Syngenta donated an incredible 16,467 pounds of food to local food banks – breaking previous records and making a real impact for communities in Ontario and Manitoba.
This annual tradition brings together Syngenta employees and volunteers, all united by one goal: to provide families in need with fresh, nutritious produce from the fields to their tables.
Since 2016, the Honeywood farm in Plattsville, Ontario has planted rows of potatoes specifically for donation to local food banks. This year, 19 Syngenta employees and volunteers dug deep to unearth not only potatoes but also hope for families in Cambridge and North Dumfries.
Samantha Francis, Formulation & Application Technology Lead, reflected on the personal significance of contributing to the initiative. “As someone who was fed by my community, I know that fresh food is greatly appreciated when visiting the food bank,” she shares. “Every person deserves good food on their table, and I will always have time to give to ensure that happens.”
Marinda DeGier, Field Scientist, considered the impact of the donations within the community. “I was surprised to learn how quickly the potatoes would be utilized – the roughly 7,000 pounds we delivered would be gone in one to two weeks. It put into perspective the significant need for food in our communities,” she says. The team also harvested 2,938 pounds of sweet corn and 300 pounds of watermelon, all of which were delivered directly to the Cambridge Food Bank to support families in need.
The Elm River farm in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, held its community potato dig in September. Lorne Letkeman, Field Biologist, organized the event. “We had about 50 participants and harvested about 6,000 pounds of potatoes,” says Letkeman who delivered the harvest to the Portage Family Resource Centre and local Salvation Army Food Bank. “They were most grateful for the donation.”
These efforts bring Syngenta closer to its 2025 Zero Hunger Challenge (ZHC) goal of $150,000 of food and monetary donations with nearly $125,000 donated so far. Learn more about the Syngenta commitment to alleviating hunger in rural Canada at the Zero Hunger Challenge webpage.
