A greater variety of fresh produce could be in the backyard and shelves of the Whitehorse Food Bank next year if Kyla Merkel’s plans go ahead.

The new executive director of the food bank is moving forward with plans for a garden on its Alexander Street property.

Merkel is seeking funds for the program that would start next spring and summer.

She envisions a program that would see volunteers cultivate a garden that would produce more produce for food bank clients.

As she stated in an email to the Star last week: “My mission is to create an opportunity for seniors to be active in the community, as well as provide any of our clients or volunteers with a chance to be educated in how to create and maintain their own vegetable garden.”

Her plans would see a senior gardening consultant put on workshops for anyone interested in gardening.

The project would incorporate the help of 10 to 15 senior volunteers who may want to come in and do some gardening once or twice a week.

The produce would then be harvested and offered to food bank clients.

The idea for the program came to Merkel when she noticed an empty area of the parking lot which gets little to no use.

It seemed to be the perfect space for a garden.

“The sun kisses it all day long,” she said.

The food bank’s board was “totally in” when she brought forward the idea.

Much work has to be done to prepare, such as funding applications, working with groups like Challenge to have garden boxes built, and finding volunteers.

Consequently, Merkel said, it will be the next gardening season before the program will begin. That gives her nearly a year to get it going.

“It’ll be fun,” she predicted, envisioning growing parsley, kale, spinach, carrots and potatoes.

In the meantime, clients are not without fresh produce thanks to the Downtown Urban Gardeners Association, which Merkel noted the food bank is grateful for.

A plot at the downtown community gardens near the clay cliffs has been set aside for the food bank in addition to the donations the food bank gets from individual gardeners.

As Merkel pointed out, there’s always a need for more fresh produce to supplement the non-perishables the food bank provides.

Her proposed garden project is designed to add what the food bank gets from the community gardens.

There’s always a bit of excitement when clients arrive to find fresh produce available.

“Their eyes light up,” Merkel said.

It’s not the only initiative Merkel has begun since taking on the role of executive director with the food bank. She succeeded Stephen Dunbar-Edge, who took a job with the Yukon Liquor Corp.

Beginning July 8, the food bank will start Family Days on Wednesdays, exclusive to families with kids to pick up their hampers in an effort to create a more welcoming environment for those with children.

A number of families with children feel uncomfortable going to a food bank. Having to bring the kids along can make that experience even more difficult, she said.

On Family Days, the food bank will have colouring sheets and a few treats available for the little ones while their caregivers pick up the emergency hamper of food.

“It’s all about safety and feeling more welcome,” she said.

Meanwhile, those without children can pick up their hampers on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

The bank has an estimated 1,500 clients, 310 of whom are children, she said.

Merkel said she was “over the moon” when she learned she’d been selected for the job of executive director, a job she says gives her an opportunity to help the less fortunate.

She previously worked in tenant relations with the Whitehorse Housing Authority.