July 2026 Foodgrains Update

But on July 30, Kathy and I had coffee with one of the pastors at our church. He told us that his wife’s grandfather walked across Canada in 2003 to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. His name was George Zondervan.

Some of you will remember him. Some may have even met him. He walked from the Pacific to the Atlantic in April to about October with his wife Betty leading the way in their VW camper.  Apparently, he averaged about 50 to 60 km a day.

George was 6 when the last war broke out. When he came to Canada, he joined the military and spent 30 years in service overseas. He knew about hunger. George died of a rare form of lung cancer a few years later.

All around Alberta (and Canada) there are people who keep doing the important work to end hunger. Each supporter finds a place to jump in and do something. Things like growing projects, donations, advocacy, a moment in church, a supper, a garden tour, walking across Canada, and many new ideas to come!

Updates on growing projects

Some of my information is likely out of date, but crops are maturing quickly with the recent heat wave in Alberta. I’m hearing of some cereal harvests suggested for mid-August and the peas in Central Alberta for about that time as well.

Mallaig did not seed their primary field this year; it never dried up enough. Taber had a lovely barley crop that got hailed out two weeks ago.

Otherwise, I’m mostly hearing that crops look really good. Westfield, north of Foremost will celebrate 30 years at their harvest this year. Medicine Hat had a poor return last year, but one organizer recently wondered how they will find enough combines to take the crop off this year. (And on August 4, I heard that Medicine Hat hopes to harvest on August 19).

As a busy fall comes around, my hope and prayer is for no more hailed out fields, for good health and safety on the roads and on the fields.

-Abe, Canadian Foodgrains Bank regional representative