Regina Food For Learning (RFFL) is calling on all growers who have surplus produce and are looking for donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The local non-profit organization has been providing students with healthy snacks and snacks for schools with at-risk children and youth who have asked for nutritional support for over 30 years.
RFFL executive director Lin Gennutt said they look for just about anything when it comes to fresh donations.
“We can break them up and use them in muffins, mini loaves or breakfast cookies, things like that put some extra veggies in the kids’ portions,” Gennutt said.
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All meals are prepared on site by volunteers, and the schools pick them up once a week.
Currently, she said, 14 schools are using the school feeding program, which supports over 900 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
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Gennutt said for the program that nutrition is always a priority and follows the Canada Food Guide.
“We’re really proud of the quality and quantity of the food we send to the children,” said Gennutt.
With food prices soaring, the organization is struggling financially, and RFFL said these donations help them a lot in terms of expenses.
“The more children we can support, the happier we will be.”
Gennutt explained she used to work in schools and from her experience children who show up hungry can’t concentrate.
“They can’t control themselves, their behavior escalates, their presence is bad, but once you feed them they immediately calm down and can go to work and they feel like someone is taking care of them,” she said .
Donations can be dropped off at RFFL at the Core Ritchie Neighborhood Center Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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