Rooted in community: Meet our community partner, Vertical Roots Canada
At Edmonton Meals on Wheels, we pride ourselves on using fresh produce in our meals. From autumnal tubers to summer greens, we believe that our clients deserve the nutritional benefits and community connection that come from locally grown, seasonal ingredients.
In the summer of 2024, we began receiving donations from Vertical Roots Canada. Each donation was filled with verdant, leafy greens such as lettuce and herbs. With these donations, we are able to create meals containing high-quality greens rich with micro-nutrients, vitamins, and fibre.
Vertical Roots Canada’s owners, Mike and Becky Newhook, initially donated to Edmonton Meals on Wheels to help support our mission in building a healthier community.
“Every week, we would have extra greens,” says Becky, “and we would look for local partners who would appreciate the donations and be able to use them well. Knowing you have a chef creating meals for local residents that would appreciate the product was an exciting opportunity for us.”
As part of their mission to improve food security, Vertical Roots donates their goods to local partners, including Edmonton Meals on Wheels. By donating to non-profits and charities, they find fulfillment and joy in knowing that more people have access fresh, local greens.
“Generosity is one of our core values and we have always donated [extra stock] to local food banks and charities,” shares Becky. “[…] We know that fresh food is sometimes hard to come by in the charity world, and we love to be the change in that.”
Vertical Roots has locations in Edmonton, St. Paul, and Leduc, but serves several communities such as Sherwood Park, Beaumont, St. Albert, and Spruce Grove. With their farms, Vertical Roots aims to combat food security while empowering others to feed their own community members by running their own hydroponics farm.
Their mission began in 2018 in the Philippines when they established two large hydroponic farms which resulted in the creation of several jobs and a source of fresh produce free from chemicals.
With the COVID pandemic, Mike and Becky relocated to Edmonton where Vertical Roots launched their first farm. Within four years, the couple have found success due to consumers appreciating produce and goods that are grown locally and without the downsides of imported produce from large suppliers (i.e., short shelf life and pesticides).
We appreciate Vertical Roots’ support, but we also recognize that their generosity has positively impacted several Edmontonians. Together, we carry out a shared purpose in responding to our community’s needs through proper nutrition and kindness.
Vertical Roots’ generous donations have ultimately contributed to the well-being of our clients who can enjoy the flavours and health benefits of fresh greens. However, we are grateful for the strong relationship we have built with Vertical Roots, one that thrives on generosity and mutual support.
“The thought of your clients receiving nutrient-dense foods from our farm makes us smile,” says Becky. “We hope that your organization will also feel valued by the donations, knowing that you are worth fresh, healthy high-quality foods.”
