FortSask

The Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank is noticing barer shelves than usual. 

It is normal for the holiday season to be one of the busier times of the year for the food bank, but with the cost of living skyrocketing in the past few months, the demand for their services has reached a new high. 

Kassandra Gartner, executive director of the food bank, says they are providing roughly 40 per cent more food hampers compared to last year. 

The victim of last weekend's garage fire in Fort Saskatchewan has been identified. 

On Saturday (Nov. 19) afternoon, emergency services were called to the Sherridon area after reports of a garage on fire. 

RCMP says that local firefighters were able to contain the fire but did discover the body of a man after entering the building. 

According to police, the man was 39 years old and a resident of the property. 

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. Police still do not believe the situation to be suspicious. 

Agribition President Kim Hextall says they're excited to be back for another year, in person and with no masks. 

While the show has expanded over the years, the core of the show remains livestock. 

Hextall says Agribition is known for bringing together the best of the best in top quality livestock together in one location, and this year is no different.

Some Albertans will be getting help from the provincial government. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the Inflation Relief Act to help curb an increase in the cost of living. 

"We're facing a very difficult time as a country and a province," said Smith in a televised address. "We've been through a lot together these past three years, but still have many challenges ahead of us."

Bust out the mittens and get your skates sharpened, because a big event is coming to Gibbons this weekend.

Gibbons' annual Hometown Weekend takes place from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 at several locations throughout the town. 

Over three days residents can enjoy a variety of activities from pancake breakfasts to skating on the ice with Santa Claus himself.

Eric Paterson, recreation and youth coordinator with the town of Gibbons says that some of the new additions to the weekend include youth bingo.

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmer's event welcomes industry representatives, alumni and OYF regional representatives from across the country.

The event gets underway on Thursday with a number of tours covering all aspects of agriculture from crop production to poultry, dairy and natural sciences.

Friday is the "Creating Change Through Policy" conference with presentations from all of the regional OYF representatives, then everything wraps up Saturday with more tours including a stop at Brandt Manufacturing.

The party made it's way to Ardrossan this month!

Mrs. Klippenstein's Grade 4 class took the title of MIX 107 Classroom of the Month for November!

The kids got a delicous pizza party courtesy of Sky Hy Pizza and Donair. Plus, a ton of other great prizes from DQ Cranford Way — Sherwood Park, Italian Centre Shoppe, Straightline Dodge, No Frills, Cobs Bread, Fort Lanes, Southfort Chevrolet, Abex Pharmacy, Smith Insurance, NRCAER, Sherwood Park Mall, Winner's Way Source for Sports, Fort Sask Eyecare, and The Retreat Salon & Spa.

The cost of lettuce has been rising recently due to a shortage. 

This has been affecting restaurants and grocery stores all over the country, including in Fort Saskatchewan.

Sylvia Benoit, who works at The Atlantic Kitchen in downtown Fort Saskatchewan, says that the cost has affected them in more ways than one.

"We use our lettuce for our caesar salad, garden salad, burgers, and taco salad," Benoit said. "A lot of that stuff we do run on [Skip the Dishes], but we've had to take it off and just keep in the house."

The Canadian Cattle Association is coming out in support of Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy and the opening of an  Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in the region. 

Jack Chaffe, co-chair of the CCA's Foreign Trade Committee, says its one of our biggest export markets  for us with Japan our number 2 market, while markets for Canadian beef are growing in Korea and Vietnam.

" In 2021, our exports to Japan was around $438 million an increase of 43 per cent from 2020. A lot of that has increased since the removal of some tariffs since the last CPTPP agreement."

The company is moving Brian Sikes into the role of chief executive officer.

Sikes has worked for the company for 31 years and was responsible for growing the meat protein side of the business.

Last year, he was appointed chief operating officer.

Sikes replaces David MacLennan (January 1st) who becomes executive chair.

The industry feels the move signifies Cargills plans to diversify and grow its business options putting more emphasis on the meat processing sector.