Group photo: A cheque for $1,500 was presented to Cobden District Public School Wednesday morning from DuPont Pioneer and its sale representatives from M & R Feeds. At the presentation were, front row from left, education assistant Robin MacKenzie, student Ethan Bourgeois who helps fill the fruit bowls and Lance Gibson with DuPont Pioneer. Back row from left: Brett Coughlin, sales rep with M & R Feeds, Paul Hermans, DuPont agronomist, teacher in charge Nancy Clark and Brian Coughlin, M & R sales rep. M& R Feeds is located in Micksburg, Pembroke and Shawville.
by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The nutritional program at Cobden District Public School received a $1,500 donation from M & R Feeds and Farm Supply through DuPont Pioneer, a seed company.
DuPont Pioneer launched the Full Belly! Full Mind! Initiative last year. The company is making a financial commitment to support breakfast and student nutrition programs across Canada, said Lance Gibson, account manager for DuPont Pioneer.
In Canada many children are at risk of developing chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, he noted.
Breakfast and nutrition programs are in place in schools across Canada to address a very real problem. These programs are often dependent on funding and resources from charities and local support.
The company has set aside $100,000 through Full Belly! Full Mind! to help schools across Canada, he said.
“We’re doing this all across Canada,” Mr. Gibson said. “From the Maritimes to BC, so for the $100,000, the amounts are varied depending on the need in the community.”
The schools apply through its local Pioneer representative for the funding, and in this area, it is M & R Feeds and Farm Supply.
M&R Feeds was pleased to submit an application on behalf of Cobden public school that was approved, noted owner Brent Clifford.
Mr. Gibson noted each school can apply once, however, schools in the same area can each apply.
“We’re gearing it to rural areas, farming areas,” he said.
Mr. Gibson’s district is from Belleville to Hwy. 16 and over to Shawville. This is the first school in his district to receive funding.
Nancy Clark, who organizes the nutrition program at CDPS, said there are just under 350 students who enjoy the fruits each day, as well vegetables and a cheese and cracker tray occasionally.
“Every classroom gets a bowl filled with four choices of fruit,” she said, adding, “We make sure each classroom has a bowl (of fruit) for any child who would like it throughout the whole day.”
The program is funded through the Upper Canada Food for Learning Renfrew County, Ms. Clark said. Each year, the school applies for funding through this program, she said.
The school is obligated to provide three out of the four food groups each week through this Food For Learning program, she said.
Recently, a farmer began providing carrots to the program, so hummus will be used as a dip, she said. Coronation Farms, a local apple producer, provides free apples every two weeks, Ms. Clark said.
