February 11, 2014
PROVIDING HEALTHY, LOCAL BREAKFAST OPTIONS FOR PETERBOROUGH STUDENTS
Fresh, Healthy, Local Food Coming to Peterborough Thanks to Health Unit
An innovative project led by the Peterborough County-City Health Unit means fresh, healthy breakfast made from local food will be on the plates of students in the Peterborough area.
With support from the Greenbelt Fund, and funding from the Ontario government, the Peterborough County-City Health Unit and multiple partners will find new ways to link local food and farming to their 47 Student Nutrition Programs through education and local food purchasing.
“With three children of my own, I can relate to the need for feeding healthy, local food to kids. The Peterborough County-City Health Unit and Food For Kids Peterborough and County are taking leadership in their community with this project. The result—more local food for Ontarians and happier, healthier students,” said Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund.
The project, Increasing Local Food in Student Nutrition Programs ($20,000), will create new market opportunities for at least five farmers, and will connect local food to the curriculum. The Health Unit will work with Food For Kids Peterborough and County as well as Farms at Workand the YWCA of Peterborough Haliburton on this program.
“By providing quality local food to Peterborough students, the County-City Health Unit is showing great leadership. Our government’s support for this important project will bring more of the good things grown in Ontario to our schools, markets, grocery stores, and restaurants while supporting our farmers, strengthening our communities, and boosting our economy,” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs and MPP for Peterborough.
“Food For Kids is pleased to have the opportunity to increase our capacity with local farmers so that we can offer locally grown food in our schools,” said Brenda Dales, Chair of Food For Kids Peterborough and County. “We recognize the benefits of supporting our local economy while also providing our children and youth with the best quality food.”
For a more detailed description of this project and other grants that are a part of the Greenbelt Fund’s Regional Food Grant Program, please visit Ontariofresh.ca.
Since its launch in 2010, the Greenbelt Fund has supported 78 projects with funding totalling $7.4 million, increasing the amount of local food available across the province. The province’s total investments toward broader sector programming means a targeted return of $38.9 million in additional Ontario food in daycares, schools, universities, and colleges—or a five to one return on investment for every dollar spent.
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About the Greenbelt Fund:
The Greenbelt Fund, a non-profit organization, supports and enhances the viability, integrity, and sustainability of agriculture in the Greenbelt and Ontario.
The Fund delivers support to farmers and local food leaders to ensure more of the good things that grow in Ontario are being served and distributed through our public institutions, retail, and foodservice markets. Helping to overcome challenges and support economic growth, the Fund’s goal is to create systemic change to permanently increase the amount of local food consumed in the province through grants, education, policy, and networking initiatives. The Fund is supported by public and private sources. For more information about the program and grants visit Ontariofresh.ca. For more information on local food visit foodlandontario.ca.
For more information about the Ontario government’s new Local Food Act and broader local food strategy, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.
Contact:
Jennifer Asselin
Communications Manager
Greenbelt Fund
Phone: (416) 960-0001, ext. 306
jasselin[a]greenbeltfund.ca
Grant Information:
Peterborough County-City Health Unit Increasing Local Food in Student Nutrition Programs($20,000)
The Peterborough County-City Health Unit will work with Food For Kids Peterborough and County as well as Farms at Work and the YWCA of Peterborough Haliburton to link local food and farming to 47 Student Nutrition Programs through both education and purchasing. The project will create new market opportunities for at least five farmers, and will connect local food to the curriculum.
Dr. Rosana Pellizzari Peterborough County-City Health Unit
Honourable Jeff Leal Minister of Rural Affairs and MPP for Peterborough
The Honourable Jeff Leal Minister of Rural Affairs and MPP for Peterborough, Burkhard MausbergGreenbelt Fund CEO, and Dr. Rosana Pellizzari Medical Officer of Health for the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, serve up local food to kids at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough.