Manitoba farmers are always looking to support their communities, the organization says
Manitoba’s general farm organization wants to be involved when it comes to the province rolling out its part of the national school food program.
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) “has raised the topic with government in past discussions of including Manitoba producers in the conversations and procurement of food for school meal programs,” Brenna Mahoney, general manager of KAP,” told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “Manitoba producers are always looking for ways to support their communities and KAP will be looking at ways to collaborate across the sector to see the role we can play collectively in getting fresh, nutritious, Manitoba-grown food onto the plates of our students.”
On Oct. 18, Manitoba joined Newfoundland and Labrador as the only provinces so far, and the first Prairie province, to sign onto the federal government’s national program.
Combined, the federal and Manitoba governments will commit $17.2 million to the program over the next few years to procure local food or update school kitchen equipment.
School representatives will oversee how the money is used.
“While the province encourages schools to buy fresh, locally sourced food, ultimately, we only provide the funding, and each school has the autonomy to purchase their own product,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn told Farms.com in an emailed statement.
Farms.com has also contacted Manitoba Education Minister Nello Altomare for comment on how the ministry could support local schools and teaching students about local agriculture.