Food insecurity affects more people than you think. Right here in New Brunswick, one organization tackles this problem head on. 5000 Farms operates with a single mission: growing fresh food for people who need it most. Every carrot, bean, and ear of corn they harvest goes directly to local food banks. According to a recent report by CBC News, this nonprofit pushes up to 300,000 pounds of fresh produce and meat into the Feed New Brunswick network every year.

From Boardroom to Farm Field

Ken Reid founded 5000 Farms in 2015. He grew up on a farm in Quebec before serving in the military and working corporate jobs. The idea sparked while he sat on the board of Harvest House, a shelter providing support to people experiencing homelessness. He saw the reality of food insecurity firsthand.

“I realized that food insecurity is a challenge among a much wider demographic than we assume,” Reid told CBC News.

Today, the operation spans 45 acres across two sites near Moncton. Volunteers do the heavy lifting. This weekend alone, they expect to harvest 25,000 pounds of food.

Fresh Produce Over Packaged Goods

Volunteers pull crops, snap stems, and load buckets onto conveyor belts for washing and bagging. None of this food hits supermarket shelves.

Cheryl Wortman volunteers her time at the farm. As a retired nurse and former dairy farmer, she knows the value of hard work and good nutrition. She works whatever crop needs harvesting. Wortman prefers seeing fresh food go to families in need.

“Anytime I have been to Feed New Brunswick and I look at the crates that are there it is mostly stuff that is packaged, just carbs,” she said. She added that fresh vegetables provide much better nutrition for families.

Expanding to Meet Growing Needs

The farm wants to scale up. Reid plans to find a permanent home site with better processing capabilities. He also wants to expand into raising cattle.

“Protein is probably the biggest need that we have in the food banks,” Reid explained.

To make this happen, 5000 Farms is currently fundraising $300,000. This money will help them hit their annual target of providing 300,000 pounds of vegetables and protein to New Brunswickers facing food insecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 5000 Farms?
5000 Farms is a nonprofit farming organization in New Brunswick that grows fresh produce and raises meat exclusively for local food banks.

How much food does the farm produce?
The farm produces between 250,000 and 300,000 pounds of fresh food annually for the Feed New Brunswick network.

Do they sell any of their crops?
No. Every single pound of food harvested goes directly to food banks to help people experiencing food insecurity.

How is the farm expanding?
The organization is raising $300,000 to secure a permanent site, improve processing, and expand into cattle farming to provide much needed protein to food banks.