Thank you for visiting Harvest Hands!  Welcome to our Deli 84 Series home page – where quality and purpose meet!  If you wish to learn more about this exciting new initiative, including an overview on Harvest Hands, please explore our Q & A below. 84% of the purchase price of our branded products will go directly to food rescue initiatives to help combat food insecurity.

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What is Harvest Hands?

HARVEST HANDS is a non-profit food distribution centre dedicated to ‘rescuing’ food from retailers, food & beverage manufacturers and growers to help agencies and thousands of families throughout SW Ontario. 

Funded entirely by donations and volunteer-driven, Harvest Hands provides food to over 350 organizations, agencies and missions, who in turn, feed over 125,000 meals per month. Every $1 donated = 3 meals provided. Food rescued since 2020 = $40,000,000.

The Process

FAQs

Deli 84 Series in a social enterprise launched by Harvest Hands to sell gourmet deli-style products.  The term ‘Deli 84 Series’ serves as an umbrella under which we hope to launch a number of nutritious, high quality, products into the local retail stream.
As a registered charity, Harvest Hands is permitted to sell products under the condition that all revenues generated are redirected into the operation of the organization.

Harvest Hands decided to launch this initiative to create a reliable revenue stream to supplement our current sources of funding.  As we receive no government funding, Harvest Hands relies solely on the generosity of donors.  Creating this additional source of revenue takes away some of this burden and it also creates a unique opportunity to build awareness – an edible brochure!

Great question.  The only way this is possible is through the generosity of many committed partners. 82 to be exact. Deli 84 Series ingredients are donated by local food and beverage manufacturers and growers.  Our labour is entirely volunteer based.  The commercial kitchen and bottling facilities are provided at no cost by the Western Fair District and Fanshawe College’s Packaging Advancement Centre.

The number 84 represents the percentage of the sale price that is directed into Harvest Hands food rescue initiatives. This takes all direct costs into account. The other 16%, required to cover out-of-pocket expenses, include jars, lids, labels and miscellaneous ingredients we are unable to source from our donor base.
Each product introduced under the Deli 84 Series umbrella will have slightly different variations of this net revenue calculation. 84% represents an average of different product calculations done to date.

The elephant in the room! You will absolutely be supporting a great cause. And yes, our Deli 84 Series products will taste exceptional! Each product is created by experienced chefs and sample batches are subjected to a rigorous taste testing process. It’s only when we know a product is absolutely, undeniably a winner will it be brought to market.

Harvest Hands is currently working on future product ideas ranging from jams to asparagus spears.  We may even dabble in relishes, or hot sauces!   We will rely on the expert guidance of licensed chefs from The Grove and the Western Fair District to help determine what products would be most popular.

As we are just launching this initiative, the Deli 84 Series products are currently only available at the Western Fair Market, 900 King Street, London and at our Harvest Hands location at 2 Currah Street, St. Thomas.  
We will update this information as we expand into new locations.

Yes!  Harvest Hands produces all Deli 84 Series products under the direct supervision of licensed chefs. Our volunteer assistants will also comply with Canada’s Food Handler Certification requirements.  The facilities – both kitchen and bottling facilities – are regularly inspected and comply with all commercial food safety standards.
The decanting of product will occur in vacuum sealed containers and all processes will occur within safe temperature zones as outlined in Canada’s food safety regulations.  Product analysis for each item will be carried out in Fanshawe College’s Packaging Advancement Centre’s laboratory.  This information will be provided on the ‘Nutritional Facts’ label located on all Deli 84 Series products.

Pricing was based on an environment scan of similar products currently for sell at large grocery stores chains, specialty stores and local markets.  Harvest Hands has decided not to sell at either a premium, nor at a discount.  Our positioning is simply a fair price for a great product.  Our competitive edge will focus on our mantra of ‘Purchase With Purpose’.

Yes.  All food donors who have contributed to the ingredients in Deli 84 Series products are in full support of this initiative.  

Together We Can End Hunger

Our Vision

In the process of eliminating hunger for those most vulnerable, our vision is to seek practical means to equip individuals and families with skills for independent living. This includes training on education and employment, financial management and other aspects of healthy living.