Cultivate Cochrane is a non-profit that strives to connect and strengthen the community through food innovation and lifestyle; centred around a community greenhouse hub.

They've recently partnered up with the Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area for a local initiative at the free food shed.

Kathrin Rathmann is on the Board of Directors with Cultivate Cochrane and she says that they saw an opportunity to assist with food security in town and further reduce waste.

"It's gardening season and harvesting season of course and everybody's in their yard harvesting their 12 heads of lettuce that they're never going to be able to eat because they're all ready at the same time," explains Rathmann.

So, Cultivate Cochrane reached out to local growers from their community and helped to spread the word about the food shed.

Rathmann says that unfortunately there aren't many outlets that can accept homegrown food donations which further adds to the food waste in town.

"We can't really do that with other official organizations because they're so restricted as to what they're allowed to take," explains Rathmann. "So we thought this was a great idea and we're hoping to increase the fresh produce in the fridge [at the food shed] by making a call out to the gardeners, letting them know this is there and if they have excess produce from their garden to take it over there and somebody will be happy to use it."

The organization has been hosting a series of Garden Parties at the food shed, with the next one scheduled for this Thursday, August 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Rathmann says that they'll be accepting surplus garden donations, as well as offering gardening tips, and swapping gardening stories.

"We'll chat with people and answer their gardening questions and see how everything went this year with the smoke, everyone has a lot to say about their experiences this year in the garden."

If your garden is overflowing with produce that you are unable to use, you can bring it down to the food shed at St. Andrew's United Church this Thursday.

Rathmann says that Cultivate Cochrane is always looking for new members, you can find more information here.