The Fraser Valley Gleaners
Did you know Ralph’s Produce donates many of our Okanagan Apples to The Fraser Valley Gleaners? This year alone, they were able to produce 15 million servings to over 25 countries in need! Read below to hear about who they are.
Who We Are
Fraser Valley Gleaners Society (FVG) was established in 1999 as a registered society in BC. The concept was modeled after our sister organization, Okanagan Gleaners, and was initiated in the Fraser Valley by a small group of Christian believers who understood the incredible potential for locally available produce. In May of 2001, a partnership with Mennonite Central Committee of BC was created to help fulfill the mission of The Gleaners – this agreement resulted in FVG building a production facility on land owned by the MCC. In August 2012 the Gleaners purchased the 10.5 acre property from MCCBC. As a registered Canadian charity, FVG is both volunteer-run and donor-driven.
On a daily basis, volunteers from many walks of life give of their time and energy to slice, dice, scrape, and mix our product. Fresh and frozen vegetable produce and apples are donated by a committed and growing set of produce partners. FVG operating costs are completely covered by the generous donations of our financial partners made up of individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
What We Do
In short, we receive produce, chop, slice and dice, dry and mix, and then release our finished product into the hands of reliable, reputable distribution partners. Fresh and frozen produce is picked up by our volunteer drivers on a daily basis. The volunteer staff next transform this produce into a cut-up, ready-for-the-dryer mix that will spend anywhere from 8 to 10 hours in an industrial-size drying unit. The dried product is then scraped and barreled in anticipation of a future “mixing” date.
Once we have an entire season’s worth of dried items for our soup mix, the mixing lines are set up and several of the winter months are devoted to transforming individual barrels of vegetables into a tasty just-add-water soup mix. In this same time period, we also complete the bagging of dried apple snacks.
Where It Goes
FVG Soup Mix and FVG Apple Snacks are distributed throughout the developing world. In recent years our product has made its way to over 40 countries. In order to ensure that each bag of soup mix is distributed into the hands of those in greatest need, we work with a variety of distribution networks – including reputable relief and development agencies, individual missionaries, and short-term outreach teams. Regardless of the distribution partnership, the process begins with a completed application form received and approved by FVG.
This Saturday, enjoy Live Music by Local Jazz Band
Saturday December 15th 2018
12pm – 4pm
You’ve heard them before at our Summer Celebration! Enjoy their Jazz instruments from local band, “5 Korners.” While you’re here, enjoy chocolates being sampled by Fraser Valley Gourmet!
Saturday December 22nd 2018
11am – 2pm
Our annual returning favourite, local Christmas Carolers
Fresh Arrivals
Just for the Christmas Season:
Mini Christmas Trees
Holly
Poinsettias
Red White and Green Bouquets
…and more have arrived!
New Arrival
A Vancouver favourite is here at our market, Mount Royal Bagels, fresh from North Vancouver!
Enjoy varieties to choose from such as:
Plain
Whole Wheat Sesame
Poppy Seed
Sesame
Have you tried these Kosher bagels before? They are locally made here in Vancouver at their bakery with a store front. The the aroma of their fresh baking draws customers in daily. We are so excited to have their bagels here at our market!
Staff Sister Highlight
Did you know we have a few pairs of siblings working here at our market? Today it’s all about Hannah & Rebekah! You have probably seen Hannah helping you as a cashier and when you’ve ordered lunch at our Bistro, Rebekah might’ve handcrafted your sandwich!
Rebekah is with us for a short while during her transition from graduating high school and her next move to Bible School in Spain! She will be with us until the end of the year. After Rebekah joined our team, these two very quickly got mixed up as they look and sound so similar to each other! We love their infectious smiles and gratitude in working with us.
When we asked them what their favourite thing is about working here, they both said the support they receive and the fulfilment or supporting a family business. Rebekah has had the opportunity of working in the Bistro along side Elizabeth & looks forward to it.
We wish both of these ladies well where their life journeys take them, but for now, thank you for being a part of our team!