The Royal City Farmers Market is offering each elementary school in New Westminster a $500 grant to use in 2016 in a food-positive way. As part of its strategic plan RCFM is committed to helping elementary-aged school children in New Westminster gain a greater understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and where food comes from. The grant, called Food+, was created to raise awareness for all the ways food can be obtained – such as starting a garden, purchasing it at the farm, participating in a CSA, shopping at the farmers market or a commercial grocery store – and creating conversations about choice and what might impact them.

“When we say “Food-positive” we mean a life that includes learning about food in a positive way, such as healthy and mindful eating, understanding where food comes from,” says Jen Arbo, RCFM Board Member.

“We would like to help create community around food and acknowledge the importance of food in our lives for more than just nutritional reasons. We believe food plays a role in culture, friendship, and overall health.”

Applications for the Food+ program will be sent out to local schools and Parent Advisory Committees in the next few weeks. The grant can be used to start a food-positive program at each school that is unique to the school’s needs, whether it is a garden; a field trip, a guest speaker, a group dinner made with local ingredients, or participation in a Growing Chef program where chefs engage the students in games, lessons, and activities focusing on plant growth, local and urban agriculture, sustainability, and nutrition.

For more information on how your school can get involved please contact RCFM’s Board of Directors at info(at)rcfm(dot)ca.