BURSTA Terrace-based non-profit food distribution society welcomed 48,000 pounds of surplus potatoes ON July 16, 2026 for distribution locally and throughout the Northwest.
They were provided to the Skeena-Kalum Community School Society by Second Harvest, a national charity that collects foods considered surplus for shipment across the country.
“We’re actually a preferred center [for distribution]. Our little community has folks who come out and help all the time. We have demonstrated our capability,” said society chair Marja Burrows.
This is at least the second shipment of potatoes in recent years and the society has also received apples, rice and bread.
The potatoes were unloaded at the society’s base of operations, the Bread of Life soup kitchen building on Sparks Street.
From there, social services agencies in Terrace and non-profit groups throughout the Northwest reaching from Haida Gwaii in the west to the Bulkley Valley area in the east and points north either picked up their allocations or made arrangements for delivery.
“It’s basically the whole region,” said Burrows.
Individual residents also picked up potatoes with Burrows saying there is no income test.
The society does record the number of people who pick up potatoes as its donators want to know the results of the distribution, she said.
Within Terrace, the Northern Savings Credit Union, Emil Anderson and the Galore Creek mine have provided assistance as has Volunteer Terrace and Skeena Diversity.