When Bernie Prefontaine posed for a family photo on their land three years ago, he never imagined it would inspire him to help end global hunger.
“For over 110 years, this land has provided abundance for our family, and I felt it was time to give back,” says Bernie, a fourth-generation farmer in Legal, Alberta. “To do so, we have committed one year’s crop proceeds to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.”
In honour of his great-grandfather’s legacy, Bernie decided to start a new growing project (Harvest 4 Hunger) and plant a wheat crop for making bread. “Wheat is very symbolic for feeding people – it’s a staple,” he explains.
Most of the costs associated with the Harvest 4 Hunger growing project – such as seeds, equipment and crop inputs – have all been donated. “The support from the local community, as well as national and international businesses, has been overwhelming.” Harvest 4 Hunger is just one of the new growing projects across Canada this year.
In Ontario, Warren and Ellen McFaul launched the Harvesting Hope growing project in Belleville with donations from local businesses. The couple has dedicated 20 acres of their farmland for corn this season. “We’re undertaking the project because we have plenty,” says Ellen. “It’s our responsibility to share with those who are in need.”
Farming couple Warren and Ellen McFaul are leading a growing project in Belleville, Ont., this year. “I know that many growing projects have a mission to involve the greater community,” says Warren, who will donate the proceeds of their corn crop. “Perhaps in the future our church family will come on board… we’d like to increase awareness in the Belleville area of the great benefit that the Foodgrains Bank provides.” (Photo: Warren McFaul)
In March, the couple learned about global food aid needs from Chantelle McIver of The Alliance Canada, a Foodgrains Bank member. “Chantelle was praying for a farmer to begin a project in order to increase her funding, and the Holy Spirit impressed upon my wife and I that we needed to [partner with The Alliance Canada],” says Warren.
With the McFauls preparing for retirement, Warren hopes the project will still continue in the long term. “Our dream is that some of our (younger) crop input suppliers will come on board and provide the enthusiastic leadership required to carry the project forward in the future.”
This story was originally published in the 2025 fall edition of Breaking Bread.
