The fully equipped kitchen allows participants to try out new food and recipes while practicing food safety measures.

An academic program promises to provide more than 100 youths the opportunity to learn, prepare, and enjoy some tasty farm-to-table dishes, through assitance from the Healthy Horizons Foundation. 

As one of three stages in FortWhyte Farms (FWF)’s social enterprise programming, participants are getting some valuable hands-on farming experience through the Fall and Spring Academic & Skills-Building program. This is a 24 week-long opportunity where youth prepare healthy meals, gain nutrition awareness, learn about horticulture and animal stewardship, make new friends, and even have the chance to apply for a full-time, paid position in the summer. Through various group activities, they develop interpersonal skills such as problem solving, effective communications, and leadership.

For many under-served youth in Winnipeg, MB, the program has changed their lives for the better. During last year’s program, some learned how to work in teams, a few had an environment to practice English, while others realized their passions. All of them agreed that the program provided them a safe place where they could be physically active and engage in positive social interaction.

“We work with a diverse group of youth, and they all bring something unique from their own food cultures and backgrounds into the kitchen program,” shared Jenna Drabble, FWF’s Farm Program Manager. “The most rewarding aspect of this program is the opportunity to see youth build their skills and confidence while learning new things in the kitchen such as proper nutrition, knife techniques, grocery shopping tips or menu planning.”

With the obstacles put forward by COVID-19, the program was challenging to implement. Program adjustments to comply with physical distancing rules, in addition to the unexpected school closures and the overall mass shutdown, were some of the hurdles the enterprise overcame. The enterprise managed to redirect their resources and adapt to the current climate, coming out stronger and more determined.

The FortWhyte team expressed their appreciation for The North West Company’s Healthy Horizons Grant of $5,000, which supports the Fall and Spring’s academic program and allows the organization to provide youth with high quality training opportunities and valuable work experience.