Headwaters Communities in ActionEd Crewson
Ed Crewson, Liberal Party Candidate for Dufferin-Caledon
A life-long resident of Dufferin-Caledon with over 26 years of service as a municipal leader, Ed Crewson understands that you can improve the lives of others by listening to people, caring about their needs, respecting their concerns and advocating on their behalf.
First elected in 1988 as a municipal councillor for Shelburne, Ed was later elected in 1991 as Reeve of Shelburne, before proudly serving as Mayor from 1997 until his retirement in 2014. Over the years Ed has served as Warden of Dufferin County, Chair of Community Services-Dufferin Oaks, Government Services Committee and the Community Development Committee and served on the Police Services Board for more than two decades.
Ed and his wife are the proud owners of a successful local family business, Crewson Insurance, employing 14 people and serving the community through their offices in Shelburne and Wasaga Beach. Together they have had the privilege of raising three children, Jennifer, Brooke and William. Ed is the Liberal Candidate Dufferin-Caledon in the upcoming Federal election.
Ed Crewson on the Do the Math Challenge:
After the death of my Father, my Mother had to be very careful with the little money we had and therefore I value a good quality meal. We now buy our food from local grocery store and neighbourhood farms. On average Wendy and I spend just under $200 per week on groceries, for the two of us. We are fortunate that we don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from.
My favourite meal includes a steak. On occasion, I enjoy a good bowl of black cherry ice cream. I think the Do the Math Challenge is a great opportunity to help bring awareness and understanding of food insecurity in our community and also for me to rethink my eating habits and what I take for granted.
Day 1
| What are you missing the most? | |
| Fresh Fruit | |
| What are your challenges with cooking? | |
| Transforming the food into a whole meal while understanding the limited supply of food was the most challenging. You have foods you are used to eating, and enjoy eating and to take these basic foods and turn them into a whole meal requires a good deal of thought and preparation. | |
| Your thoughts on taking the challenge vs. the reality for people facing economic hardship and limited access to food. | |
| The easy part of the challenge is knowing it will end in a few days, there isn’t the stress and anxiety of wondering what to do when this food runs out or trying to make the food stretch across more days than it was intended to last.The hard part is doing it. There becomes an increased awareness of the limitations and a focus on food in general. You can’t go out and grab take out for lunch or decide to have a steak for dinner tonight. It becomes very clear that the “basics” are in fact a luxury for too many people. | |
Day 2
| What are you missing the most? | |
| Meat | |
| Your thoughts on taking the challenge vs. the reality for people facing economic hardship and limited access to food. | |
| Today I feel no difference. The lack of freedom to decide on what to eat and the restrictions have hit hard. The difference of feeling compassionate on the outside and living through it are very different. | |
| The number one thing you want to share with family and friends. | |
| I would encourage all friends and family to make a donation to their closest food bank. Take an extra minute at the grocery store and make a meaningful choice looking at healthy choices. | |
Day 3
| What are you missing the most? |
| Energy! |
| The number one thing you want to share with family and friends. |
| This is very hard. Day #1 wasn’t too bad and it went downhill from there. I feel like I’m getting sick, dinner isn’t a relaxing end of the day reward – it’s a challenge to keep occupied so I don’t focus on the lack of food, both quantity but mostly quality. |
Final Thoughts
| The number one thing you want to share with family and friends. |
| I ate only the foods provided by the food bank for three days but found the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables and meat to be very unsatisfying; too much starch and salt in the foods provided. The experience made me truly appreciate the fresh fruits and vegetables and meat that I eat every day. People asked me if I lost weight but with the abundance of starch that I consumed that was impossible and in fact I can see me gaining weight if I continued. |
| Did you learn anything new? Other comments? |
| I believe we all contribute at some point to a food bank. Hopefully with this challenge people will consider what they donate and make healthier choices.From the intake process to receiving the food, I was very impressed with the care and compassion that was demonstrated. Recipients of the Orangeville Food Bank are able to pick up extra items when available, participate in the community garden, and have an understanding, and actively involved support group of professionals to help them navigate the system and the circumstances that brought them to the food bank.
Our role in participating in the challenge doesn’t end here. Bringing awareness and making changes that help those with food insecurities can create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. |
