AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Major Donation Fuels Plans for Food Transformation Centre
Harvest Manitoba has received a significant financial boost in its quest to construct a 100,000-square-foot food transformation centre. A $5 million donation, announced at the food bank's annual Empty Bowls celebrity auction dinner, marks a pivotal step forward for the project, which is designed to help address food security and food waste issues in the province.
Annual Auction Dinner Raises Record Funds
The donation was unveiled on Thursday during the annual Empty Bowls celebrity auction dinner. The event, which raises funds in support of Harvest Manitoba's initiatives, garnered a record total of $6,527,000 this year. The late Doug Harvey and his family were the primary contributors to the fundraising total, making the largest single gift of $5 million dedicated to the food transformation project.
Honouring Doug Harvey's Legacy
The upcoming facility will be named the Doug Harvey, Jan Shute and Family Manitoba Food Transformation Centre in recognition of the family's support. Doug Harvey, a prominent businessman and philanthropist with a longstanding relationship with Harvest Manitoba, passed away on September 16. CEO Vince Barletta emphasized that the family's donation is part of their healing journey and an extension of Doug Harvey's commitment to community service. "He was a man with a big heart and a family with a big heart. And he's left that incredible legacy … [by] supporting many organizations," Barletta said.
Enhancing Food Preparation and Distribution
The new centre is designed to revolutionize how surplus food is managed. With a targeted opening date of 2028-29, the facility will use advanced food preparation techniques such as freezing and dehydration to extend shelf life and improve food security across Manitoba. The 2025-26 annual report from Harvest Manitoba highlights several features of the planned centre, including a commercial kitchen for meal preparation, a new food packaging system, expanded cold storage for fresh foods, and flash freezing for preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Impact: Reducing Food Waste and Supporting Families
Once operational, the centre is expected to be capable of distributing close to 13 million kilograms of food each year, supporting more than 40,000 families monthly. By accepting more surplus food from farmers, processors, and retailers—food that might otherwise be discarded—the centre aims to make a significant impact on reducing food waste. The facility will also provide training and job opportunities for those served by Harvest Manitoba, in addition to producing meals for schools, community programs, and emergency response efforts.
Community Involvement and Ongoing Support
Location details for the new centre have not yet been announced. The Empty Bowls dinner also included live performances, a showcase of unique bowls designed and signed by celebrities, and an auction featuring event tickets, hotel stays, artwork, and other prizes. The auction remains open for public participation until 6 p.m. Saturday, offering further opportunities for the community to contribute to Harvest Manitoba's mission.
Source: cbc.ca.
