Starting in the fall, students across Manitoba will be able to raise funds for school projects by selling fresh, locally grown vegetables instead of sweets. This announcement was made by Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau.
This follows an extremely successful pilot program called the Farm 2 School Healthy Choice Fundraiser that involved 66 schools in partnership with Peak of the Market and the Manitoba Association of Home Economists, Rondeau said. He noted that 123,465 pounds, equivalent to three semi-trailer loads of vegetables, were sold this past year resulting in almost $55,000 of profits for schools.
“We are thrilled with the enthusiasm with which the pilot schools embraced this option and we’re pleased to expand and continue the Farm 2 School program,” said Rondeau. “By offering vegetables in place of sweets, we are encouraging healthy living while making vegetables the norm for children.”
The program will be available from September to December each year. Students will sell two different bundles of Manitoba-grown vegetables that will be delivered later in recyclable shopping bags. A $10 bundle will contain 11 pounds of carrots, onions and potatoes while the $20 bundle will add parsnips and cabbage to the healthy choices in the first pack.
Peak of the Market will provide Manitoba-grown vegetables at cost, co-ordinating orders and offering free delivery to each school. This will allow the vegetables to be sold for a competitive price while still providing for a 50 per cent profit for the fundraiser.
“The 40 Manitoba family farms that make up Peak of the Market love to see their healthy vegetables on the plates of our students, their families and their friends,” said Larry McIntosh, president and CEO of Peak of the Market. “We’re thrilled that the program will now be offered to more than 850 schools across the province.”
The project is being co-ordinated by the Manitoba Association of Home Economists, whose members work in all areas of the public, non-profit and private sectors to assist people in improving their quality of life.
“Home economists across the province are pleased to be a part of making fresh, healthy, delicious Manitoba vegetables available to school fundraising groups,” said Getty Stewart, president of the Manitoba Association of Home Economists. “Based on our experience last year, we know school fundraising groups, educators and families welcome a program that provides a healthy alternative and offers great fundraising potential. We’re looking forward to increased participation this fall.”
Healthy Schools is Manitoba’s school-health initiative, designed to promote the physical, emotional and social health of school communities. It is based on the belief that good health is important for learning.
The program’s mission is to create school environments that enhance the healthy development of children and their families by working in partnership with community service providers and resources.
