At the YMCA of Three Rivers, we take pride in our role as the lead agency for Student Nutrition Programs across the Central West Region of Ontario. Serving the communities of Wellington/Dufferin/Guelph, Halton, Peel, and Waterloo Regions, our mission is to ensure that children have access to healthy food throughout the school day.
This summer, we were fortunate to receive a wonderful opportunity to further our goal of providing nutritious meals to students in our region. Andrew’s Scenic Acres, a local farm in Milton, reached out to inform us that they had an abundance of fresh, ripe blueberries ready for harvest. Knowing that these vibrant berries could make a big difference in the meals we provide, we quickly jumped into action.
We worked hand in hand with our Student Nutrition Ontario colleagues from Central East (Peterborough Child & Family Centres) and a mutual distributor, Healthy Selections, to ensure the blueberries could be distributed to Student Nutrition Programs in both the Central West and Central East regions. This collaborative effort allowed us to maximize the impact of the blueberry harvest and share the bounty with even more children in need.
With a small but mighty crew of volunteers, we were able to collect an impressive 135 pounds of blueberries! These fresh, local fruits were distributed to programs that serve children and youth in both Central East & Central West Region, providing them with the nutrients they need to fuel their minds and bodies throughout the school day.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful donation of the blueberries. You have increased our nutritional impact on our students’ daily diet. Having them frozen allowed us to extend their usage. We have been able to provide them in a variety of ways for our students to enjoy.” – Student Nutrition Program Volunteer
We are deeply grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built with local farmers, distributors, and volunteers. It’s these collaborations that allow us to bring exciting opportunities like this to life and ensure that healthy food is accessible to all students. Whether it’s through generous donations, logistical support, or hands-on help, we are reminded of the power of community working together to make a difference.
To learn more about our Student Nutrition Programs and how you can get involved in making an impact, click the link below. Together, we can help our community thrive, one nutritious meal at a time.