Richer School has launched a healthy living pilot program called B.A.G., which stands for bringing better access to groceries for families in the community. 

Richer School Principal Sandra Pott holding one of the grocery bags.Principal Sandra Pott says they've enlisted a lot of community partners like Villa Youville, the food bank in Ste. Anne, their healthy living coordinator, the divisional social worker and other volunteers in the community. The idea is to make perishable items more accessible at a lower cost, so more families can enjoy their benefits.

Pott says the program will allow families to purchase a bag full of fruits and vegetables for only $10.

“Our local grocer is one of the partners, he goes into Winnipeg every two weeks to pick up the bulk fruits and vegetables, and local volunteers come to the school to pack the bags.”

Pott says retired residents also come into the school to teach the students how to cook the items in the bags, and then send recipes home for their families.

For their first order, Pott says she's very excited because 22 families took part in the program. “I'm excited to see how the program will multiply over the next few months and it's going to be a positive experience. Families are spending too much money by going to the convenience store to pick it up, or they have to make a special trip to either Winnipeg or Steinbach. It's important for the kids and everybody to have nutritious meals.”

Pott adds, the school has a community garden, where students can learn gardening skills. “We employ a few students over the summer, and they harvest the gardens in fall. The harvest goes to the local food bank, and we keep some here at the school to have a hot soup lunch day."

Pott adds, Healthy Living Manitoba and the Ste. Anne Food Bank have been a great support, with a lot of volunteers coming from there.