Kids from across Saskatchewan learn about agriculture through ‘Meals from the Farm’

For most of the kids in the gym at Caswell Community School in Saskatoon, being part of an assembly is a new experience. The same goes for learning about the types of food grown in Saskatchewan.

“There’s just such a big disconnect today in where food comes from,” said Paige Pister, program coordinator with Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan.

“Kids don’t know where their food comes from. They think it just comes from the grocery store.”

It’s what inspired Farm and Food Safe Saskatchewan and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan to partner up for Meals from the Farm, a program that helps people learn more about how food is grown in Saskatchewan.

“It’s an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to give back to the community,” Monchuk said.

“I think it’s something where we can also offer that ability to learn a bit more about where their food is coming from. It checks off a ton of boxes and it makes sure that the kids get a warm meal at lunchtime and learn a bit more about what farmers and ranchers do in this province.”

Along with lunch, students and teachers received a bag with activities, recipes, pencils and snacks from Saskatchewan farmer groups.

There’s also a host of online activities, including courses that give an overview of Saskatchewan’s main agriculture products, a live question and answer with a farmer, cook-along videos, virtual farm tours, and agriculture trivia contests for students to learn more about Saskatchewan food and farming.

“When teachers start to use our resources,” Pister said, “they realize just how easy they are to use. We work with teachers and the ag industry to make sure that they’re very current and informative and they are also very hands-on and fun for the teachers to use.”

It’s the second year for the event in the province. Organizers hope to continue expanding the program.