Nutrition programs at two schools received a major boost after being chosen as one of 10 recipients of the Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge.

Bedford Road Collegiate and Mayfair Community School each received a $10,000 grant to support student nutrition programs and facilities.

Bedford Road will use the funds to enhance its universal breakfast, lunch, and snack programs by providing more protein-rich snacks and increasing the availability of dairy and fruit. The school will purchase a commercial cooler and upright freezer to support those enhancements.

The school also plans to use the funding to for the development of a community garden that will provide produce to support the nutrition programs.

The nutrition programs at Bedford Road integrate alternative education programming as one of the key elements. This affords many opportunities for training and building essential life skills, providing students with food safe certification and work experience.

Mayfair School's plan includes significant community partnerships and engagement. The intent is to make existing breakfast, lunch, and snack programs available to all students free of charge. This pilot project is a partnership with CHEP and the University of Saskatchewan and will help inform future programming within the education community.

The project includes nutrition education for all students on food safety, food preparation, gardening, and food waste reduction. To support this enhanced programming, Mayfair School will purchase a commercial freezer and convection oven.

Now in its 15th year, the Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge supports projects that have goals including supporting reconciliation projects, enhancing kitchen and garden facilities, increasing educational opportunities for students and families, and expanding nutrition programs. The challenge is a partnership between The Mosaic Company and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association.