REGINA — Regina Food For Learning (RFFL), an organization that provides nutritious food to children in schools, is expanding its operations after securing a new home.
The undisclosed location is roughly five to six times bigger than its current space, said RFFL executive director Lin Gennutt.
“This will make us more efficient and allow us to store more food.”
Operating out of the Core Ritchie Neighbourhood Centre, Gennutt said the organization has recently reached capacity in the number of schools it can serve.
“At least six schools we've had to turn away in the past few years, and our numbers have grown. If you look back over the last 10 years, [it’s] tripled at least.”
During the last school year, Gennutt said RFFL served 17 schools and gave away more than 20,000 pounds of food.
With its new space, the organization has already committed to serving 25 schools for the upcoming school year.
Beyond increasing operations, more capacity will allow RFFL to buy food at lower prices.
“It's gonna make a huge difference to our budget. Being able to buy in bulk and when Cheerios are on sale. Well, we can buy 10 cases of Cheerios now and save a lot of money in that way," said Gennutt.
The organization spends about $170,000 on food each year, with a total annual budget of nearly $400,000.
Unlike other organizations, RFFL doesn’t receive free food from stores due to its rotating menu.
“We have our four-week cycle, and sometimes they get recycled a couple of months down the road, but it goes on a four-week cycle, and we try to give as much variety and as much nutrition as we possibly can," noted Gennutt.
Gennutt emphasized the importance of variety.
“For a lot of those kids, the only meal they're getting that day is the one they get at school. So we want to make sure that it's nutritionally sound, that it tastes good, and that they're getting new experiences and trying new foods.”
Gennutt is hopeful the group can double its operations with the new space.
“We want to feed kids. That's the bottom line.”
However, this goal is dependent on funding, which Gennutt admitted she is worried about.
“It is getting harder because you know the word about the national school food is out there and it's. I'm getting asked more often, well, the feds are paying now. Why are you asking for money?”
Even with the national program, Gennutt said RFFL is essential for filling the gaps.
As for the details of the new location, an official announcement will come in the next few weeks.
