Premier Brian Gallant visited Gesner Elementary School on March 20 to help celebrate the launch of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's local and healthy food initiative in three Anglophone schools. Under the pilot project, the three schools team up with champion schools where successful programs are already in place.
“Education is the key for economic prosperity,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “Investing in healthy local food will help our youth receive the best education possible here in New Brunswick.”
Gesner Street Elementary School in Oromocto is one of the participating schools. It is partnered with Barkers Point Elementary School.
“At Gesner Elementary, we believe that healthy food promotes healthy minds,” said Principal Heather Cripps. “The goal of our project is to provide opportunities for each of our students to learn the importance of healthy food choices for wellness as they grow at school and into adulthood.”
Gesner received a $3,000 nutrition pilot grant to purchase a grow tower to grow vegetables inside under an ultra-violet light and also bought books on healthy eating in both official languages. On March 22, Grade 2 students at Gesner will visit Barker's Point Elementary School where a similar project is in full swing. Barker's Point Elementary School has a grow tower with young seedlings and they have a chef on site who is teaching students about cooking healthy snacks. Barker's Point Elementary received a $2,000 funding grant for their project.
At Gesner Elementary, Principal Heather Cripps, Grade 2 teacher Linda Hill and Melissa Moore, a parent who coordinates the hot lunch program, will lead their project with the Grade 2 students.
The other participating Anglophone schools are Seaside Park Elementary and Salisbury Elementary. Their respective champions are Harbour View High School and J.M.A. Armstrong High School/Salisbury Middle School.
School projects could include creating a community garden and working with community run cafeterias to help provide more local foods within their lunch programs.
The government’s 10-year education plans aim to improve educational outcomes and better prepare young people for the future. They set objectives in priority areas to create lifelong learners, support educational leaders and bring stability to the system. In the photo below, Premier Gallant talks with Grade 2 students during his visit at Gesner Elementary School.
