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Facebook comment inspires donation of 2,000 lbs of oranges

Root Cellar gave fresh fruit to the Mustard Seed in Victoria
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Mary-Ellen Lundgren and Daisy Orser of the Root Cellar donated 2,000 lbs. of oranges to the Mustard Seed. (Root Cellar photo)

It’s the case of a Facebook comment that actually inspired change.

On the Root Cellar Village Green Grocer’s social media page, Mary-Ellen Lundgren commented on their orange sale, asking others to take advantage of the deal to donate some fresh goods to shelters and food banks.

“It’s affordable for me and something that a lot of people utilizing food banks can only dream about. Food banks get donations of produce but it is often the unsold reduced produce,” Lundgren wrote. “…imagine the look on a person’s face when they are used to getting clearance and instead there are these glorious, fresh, fragrant, beautiful balls of sunshine to brighten up their hamper!”

READ and WATCH MORE: 6,000 lbs. of potatoes donated to charity

It was a comment that reached Root Cellar co-owner Daisy Orser, who responded, “The oranges are cheap, but kindness is free.”

An hour later, the oranges — a full pallet of them — were free, too. Orser helped organize a donation of 2,000 pounds of them to the Mustard Seed’s distribution warehouse in Victoria.

Director of development, Janiene Boice said the donation will be added to their 1,500 Christmas hampers and the other agencies that use their food share network, like Our Place and Transition House. The oranges will ultimately make their way to 4,000 people.

“It’s a tonne of oranges,” Boice said. “It was so generous.”

Others can follow their lead by donating to the Food Rescue Project through the Victoria Foundation.

READ MORE: Mustard Seed celebrates ribbon-cutting on re-envisioned food bank


@KeiliBartlett
keili.bartlett@blackpress.ca

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