Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – PotashCorp has provided $375,000 to support school nutrition programs, including school/community gardens that are improving food security and student health.

This is the fifth year PotashCorp has made this investment with Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to enhance school nutrition programs that include vegetable gardens schools share with their neighbours.

“Improving food security means making sure that those who need food can access it – and school/community gardens are an effective way to do this,” said Denita Stann, PotashCorp’s Senior Vice President of Investor and Public Relations. “It’s great to know our investment is making a difference for children in classrooms across Saskatoon.”  

Since 2012, PotashCorp has provided a total of $1.875 million to the school divisions. In addition to supporting the gardens, the funds help provide students with access to nutritious meals and snacks and enhance school-wide nutrition education.

This year, Saskatoon Public Schools committed its $200,000 share of the funds to its PotashCorp Food4Thought Nutrition Program. Delivered through the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation, the program supports the division’s ongoing efforts to provide daily nutritious meals in 20 schools, most with their own community garden. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools used its $175,000 to support breakfast, lunch and snack programs and community gardens in 16 schools.

“PotashCorp’s support has made a world of difference to our students,” said Diane Boyko, chair of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board of Education. “Not only has it helped provide thousands of healthy meals and snacks, we have done needed renovations to the kitchen facilities at two schools. The hands-on experience of community gardens teaches our children the importance of health and nutrition, and also demonstrates how we can work together to make food accessible for everyone.”

“We are grateful to PotashCorp for this generous gift that will have an incredible impact in our schools. Too many of our students come to school hungry. This donation helps us provide nutritious food for students, which sets them up for success in the classroom. PotashCorp is also supporting the continued growth of our school community gardens, which have fostered important lessons about nutrition and stewardship. Thank you to PotashCorp for helping to support the health and well-being of our students,” said Ray Morrison, member of the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation Board and board chair with Saskatoon Public Schools.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have. .

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