Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Veggie fundraiser supports schools, local farmers

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 12/8/2011 11:39 AM | Comments: 0

Peak of the Market President Larry McIntosh is encouraged by the success schools have had with the fundraiser. (RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Forget selling chocolate bars --- schools are making a fundraising bundle on vegetables.

Since September, the Farm 2 School Healthy Choice Fundraiser has sold more than 500,000 pounds of locally grown vegetables to Manitoba families, raising $245,545 for Manitoba schools, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

"This outstanding initiative, now in its second year, provides Manitoba schools with a healthy way to raise funds while promoting good nutrition," said Rondeau. "This is an important step in our fight against childhood obesity and it also benefits Manitoba farmers and stimulates our economy."

Participating schools sell bags of Peak of the Market vegetables in $10 and $20 bags, and half the proceeds remains with the school and the other half goes back to Manitoba farmers. This year's program has sold more than 540,000 pounds of vegetables, which is equivalent to about 13 semi-trailer loads and is more than four times the volume sold in 2010, Rondeau said.

The minister praised the efforts of the program partners, including Peak of the Market, which provides the vegetables at cost and delivers them to participating schools; the Manitoba Association of Home Economists, which co-ordinates the fundraiser; and the 215 schools which participated in this year's program, up from 66 schools the first year.

"The Farm 2 School veggie fundraiser has exceeded all of our expectations, with each participating school earning an average of $1,065," said Larry McIntosh, president and CEO of Peak of the Market. "Having students fundraise for their schools with healthy foods, while helping support Manitoba famers is truly a win for our schools and for all Manitobans."

The Farm 2 School initiative will begin again in September 2012. Information on the program can be found at www.farmtoschoolmanitoba.ca/.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.