Harvest celebrates 40 years with community barbecue

Winnipeg Free Press

30-07-2025

St. Boniface
Weston
Harvest Manitoba is marking a major milestone next month and hosting an anniversary gathering to celebrate 40 years of serving Manitobans, while feeding hope across the province.
The free community barbecue event, open to everyone, will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 7 p.m. at 1085 Winnipeg Ave.
CEO Vince Barletta has been with Harvest Manitoba since 2021. In those four years, Barletta has seen a lot of change, but some things have remained the same, including the level of commitment from his team and the continued kindness of Manitobans.
Supplied photo
Harvest Manitoba volunteers, pictured here at Harvest's market garden event last year, will host a free, community barbecue on Thursday, Aug. 21 to mark the organization's 40th anniversary. The event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at 1085 Winnipeg Ave.
'I appreciate seeing the generosity of Manitobans. It takes a province to feed a province. No one does that better than we do in Manitoba, from farmers, agricultural groups, the business community, [to] donors, volunteers… people donating time and food. The generosity amazes me. It doesn't work without them,' he said, noting that last year alone there were 66,000 documented volunteer labour-hours.
'After 40 years, there is great opportunity to celebrate and thank people who have been involved.'
Winnipeg Harvest, which collected and shared food within the city limits, was founded by Lee Newton, who passed away a number of years ago. The idea sprouted in 1983, and by 1985 the facility opened its doors in its original location in St. Boniface on rue St. Joseph. At that time the much smaller operation collected and distributed 200,000 pounds of food in its first year.
In its 35th year, Manitoba Association of Food Banks joined forces and resources with the Harvest family to become the fourth-largest food distributor of its kind in Canada. Now known as Harvest Manitoba to better reflect the people they serve, where they serve, and the range of contributions they receive, the organization will distribute more than 200,000 pounds of food every week. Harvest collects and shares 13 million pounds of healthy and nutritious food to hungry Manitobans every year.
But even with the ever-increasing and ongoing needs, Barletta said there is hope.
'The thing that hasn't changed is the vision for a healthier future. No Manitoban goes hungry — that has been there since day one,' he said.
'There are so many people who need a food bank for a short time in their life, because of lack of employment, an injury, a change in family situation, maybe they're new to Canada… they need the food bank,' Barletta explained.
'It's there for them until they don't need it. There are thousands of stories like that every year.'
According to Barletta, the reality is that with income inequality in Canada, people are going into debt to put food on the table.
'The biggest change overall since the pandemic is that, years ago, if you had a job you didn't need to go to a food bank. This past year, 45 percent of people who visit a food bank have a job. There are similar statistics across the country — sometimes they have more than one job.'
Supplied photo
Harvest Manitoba, which started as Winnipeg Harvest, was founded by Lee Newton. By 1985, the first facility opened its doors in its original location in St. Boniface on rue St. Joseph.
Over 50,000 Manitobans visit a food bank every month and over 108,000 Manitobans access a Harvest Manitoba program monthly, whether it's a school program, employment and training, a soup kitchen, or day care. More communities are being served than ever, including in the North, and these days around forest fire relief.
'There are so many people and organizations who have come up with creative ways to help: sporting teams, employee groups, church groups, individuals. Instead of gifts for a birthday they collect for Harvest Manitoba… people have food drives, they make and sell crafts, flowers, jewelry… We are blessed, we have literally thousands of donors helping in any way they can so families having nutritious food on the table.'
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Harvest Manitoba looks forward to welcoming Manitobans at their special celebration.
'We are not going to turn anybody away. We are closing the street down to give tours,' Barletta said, of the rain-or-shine event.
The gathering is open to everyone and packed with activities for the whole family. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as vegetarian options. Visitors can sip on delicious mocktails served by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.
Activities will include a graduation ceremony to celebrate Harvest trainees. There will be live band performances, self-guided tour stations throughout the building to see how Harvest helps feed Manitobans, viewing historical displays that highlight key moments from a 40-year journey, and games and activities for kids. Barletta says it will be a chance for people to reconnect, share stories, and to say thank you.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. You can RSVP online at harvestmanitoba.ca or by phone at 204-982-3581.
Janine LeGalWolseley community correspondent
Janine LeGal is a community correspondent for Wolseley. Know any interesting people, places and things in Wolseley? Contact her at: [e-mail]
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