The spirit of giving was in full bloom during our Harvest Food Drive this October, as employees across the company rallied to support local food banks. With donations totalling nearly 1,000 pounds of food and $5,560 in monetary contributions—equivalent to over 12,000 meals—our collective efforts brought significant relief to communities in need. Among these inspiring contributions, one individual stood out for his extraordinary generosity.
Eric Richter, Territory Sales Representative for the Appalachian District, made a remarkable donation of 693 pounds of fresh produce from his home garden to the Souris Food Bank in Prince Edward Island (PEI). When Eric moved to PEI from Ontario in the fall of 2018, he discovered local food banks initially only accepted commercially packaged and graded produce. Undeterred, he remained committed to finding a way to help. His persistence paid off in 2021 when food banks began accepting his homegrown produce, marking the beginning of his heartfelt tradition of giving.
For Eric, his annual tradition is about making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. “It’s a great way to help out those who aren’t as fortunate,” he shared. Reflecting on his contributions, he added, “The produce from our garden is the same quality and freshness that my wife and I enjoy. Knowing it can help provide meals for families in need makes the effort truly worthwhile.”
Eric’s garden is a labour of love, designed with a focus on hearty and versatile crops. This year’s bounty included a colourful medley of potatoes, carrots, yellow beets, cabbage, turnips, and squash. He washes and packs his produce in cardboard boxes before delivery, ensuring it’s ready to be distributed in bulk or used for soups, stews, or other meals prepared by the food bank.
Eric’s efforts exemplify how small, personal actions can create meaningful change in the community. His story is a reminder that giving back can take many forms and that something as simple as a garden can play a role in tackling food insecurity.
The Harvest Food Drive is part of Syngenta’s Zero Hunger Challenge, an initiative that aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger by 2030. Since 2000, Syngenta has donated more than $1 million to Food Banks Canada. This year, we’re striving to raise $150,000 or provide 250,000 meals to alleviate food insecurity across rural Canada.
Join us in this vital mission! Visit our Zero Hunger Challenge webpage to learn more about the initiative and how you can make a donation or get involved. Together, we can work toward a world with zero hunger.
