Jeff Sedgwick

Jeff Sedgwick, Mulmur resident and Director at The Co-operators

Jeff Sedgwick will continue in a second term as Treasurer.  Jeff has been a full-time resident of Mulmur Township for 30 years.  He was a founding member of the Rosemont Fire Department, and also spent 14 years as a municipal councilor. He works full time with The Co-operators with national responsibilities in Claims.  

Occupation: Financial Services (The Co-operators)
Favorite food: Cheese
Guiltiest food pleasure: Cheese
Family size: 4
Estimate of how much you and your family spend on food per week: $250 to $300
Why you are participating in this project: Food banks provide an important and essential role in the health and well being of our communities. Its amazing to realize the number of people who rely on food banks. As an employee of The Co-operators, we support our local food bank in Guelph through our “Volunteers in Action”. For the past several years I have volunteered quarterly, stacking and sorting at the food bank. To experience the food bank from a different perspective and communicate my experience seemed to be a natural fit.

Day 1

What are you missing the most?

Cheese, what else!!!

What are your challenges with cooking?

Day one, picked up food. Day one picked up food, and it is spread out on my kitchen table. Some of the stuff I am quite used to and there’ll be no adjustment (I am still a student at heart and I have KD for lunch often). Other things I simply am not used to cooking with like canned veg, chickpeas…, I am going to have to tap into my daughters recipe book for vegetarian ideas for sure!!!

Your thoughts on taking the challenge vs. the reality for people facing economic hardship and limited access to food.

It was interesting to experience the Food bank operation from a different side. I volunteer periodically at the Guelph Food bank sorting, stocking and shelving dried goods, as well as pick-up, but I do not see any of the ‘front end’ operations. It is amazing how the volunteers go above and beyond to make sure those who need to use the Food Bank are able to do so with dignity and respect. It would be one thing to need to rely on the Food Bank; quite another if there were fears of any stigma associated with it.

The number one thing you want to share with family and friends.

Food Banks not only rely on donations of goods but cash donations also enables them to buy fresh food when available.

Did you learn anything new? Other comments?

Did you know…, – the Orangeville Food Bank opened in 1992 – It is an “Emergency Food Bank” – There is an Ontario Association of Food Banks – Many Food Banks ‘share’ when they can or they are in need of certain items – Food Banks do not provide any foods past their best before date – Food Banks are 100% volunteer run – Clients can come once per month – Orangeville’s Food Bank has sen a 28% increase in the total use in the last 4 years – Clients receive an average of 3e0 pounds of food per person per month – 10,500 pounds of food are distributed each month (WOW!)

Day 2

Day 3