Abbotsford farmers host free lunch to thank community for helping them through devastating floods

Abbotsford farmers hosted a free lunch on Saturday to thank community members for help and support during 2021's disastrous floods.

Historic rainfall caused catastrophic floods in the Fraser Valley that damaged farms and forced thousands to flee their homes last November.

The Farmers Thanking the Communityevent, jointly hosted by several farming industry groups, was held at the Abbotsford Exhibition Park. Guests atea complimentary lunch featuring locally produced food, entertainmentand the chance to talk tolocal farmers.

B.C. Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham and Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun spoke at the event, expressing their gratitude for the community's help.

Amanda Brittain, director of communications and marketing for B.C. Egg and one of the main organizers of the event, saidthe support farmersreceived from neighbourswas substantial.

"Farmers have always been proud to produce local food for the people of British Columbia, but what the flood did is it showed that the community has our back," said Brittain.

Brittain said community members played a vital role in helping farmers during the flooding, including rescuing animals, filling sandbags to divert water from entering barnsand driving tractors over flooded fields to deliversupplies.

Months after the flooding, Brittain said neighbours and community members continued to support farmers in their cleanup efforts.

"One thing that a lot of people don't know about is after the water receded and farmers were left absolutely devastated the work parties showed up," said Brittain.

Brittain said in one case, 100 people showed up to help a farmer makerepairs and clean up. She said the volunteers cleanedthebarn, fixed broken equipmentand prepared thehousefor restoration in one weekend.

"When we need help they're more than willing to step up. It really instilled a sense of community, and these days we don't always get that."

The event was held inconjunction with marketingorganizations for eggs, chicken, turkey, dairy products and hatching eggs all industries located in the flood zone that lost animals and property.

Recovery update

Abbotsford'sBraun released a recovery update on Fridaywhich noted that five parks have reopened since the last update in February. Of approximately 300 damaged sites around the city, 167 have now been fully repaired.

He said thecity has focused on cleaning debris in Sumas Prairie over the last month.

The city's infrastructure recovery team has also started repairingdamage sustained at the Barrowtown Pump Station.

"The residents' willingness to roll up their sleeves and help their neighbours inspires me," Braun wrote.