New Program Tackles Hunger with Knowledge

Regina Food Bank Launches Financial & Nutritional Literacy Program in Partnership with Co-operators and Agriculture in the Classroom.

The Regina Food Bank is proud to announce the launch of a new Financial & Nutritional Literacy Program, aimed at educating children on food budgeting and making healthier eating choices. This initiative is in collaboration with Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) and generously powered by Co-operators and is aimed to empower young people with essential life skills while fostering awareness of local food security issues.

Children aged 18 and under are greatly overrepresented in terms of access to food banks. In Regina, they account for 38% of clients, compared to 33% nationally. The impact of hunger on youth health and development is deeply concerning, often contributing to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and lower graduation rates.

“Nutrition plays a vital role in children's development," said John Bailey, CEO at Regina Food Bank. "By providing youth with practical knowledge about food systems, budgeting, and nutrition, we are giving them tools to create a healthier future. Our partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom creates a force multiplier, significantly expanding our impact and reaching more young people with these essential life skills. We're deeply grateful to Co-operators for their generous support of this initiative, which makes this important work possible.”

The Financial & Nutritional Literacy Program will introduce students to key concepts such as meal planning on a budget, understanding food labels, and the importance of balanced nutrition. The program follows a collaborative model involving delivery partners: AITC-SK—who provides curriculum and school connections— the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and Co-operators. The Regina Food Bank will host sessions at its Community Food Hub, creating an immersive learning experience in a real-world setting.

“Food, health, and finances are deeply connected, and it's critical that students understand how to navigate them,” said Sara Shymko, Executive Director of AITC-SK. “Through this partnership, we’re equipping students with real-life skills that help them make informed decisions about what they eat and how they spend—setting them up for lifelong well-being and resilience”.

The program’s development has been made possible through the generous support of Co operators, whose commitment to financial and social well-being aligns with the core objectives of this initiative.

“Being able to offer our support both in funding and in the delivery of financial literacy curriculum will be an inspiring and critical lift to our community,” says Paul Gobeil, Vice President, Individual Insurance & Wealth Management and Chief Actuary, Co-operators Life. “It is so important for us as a purpose-led organization to catalyze a positive change for youth in our community by empowering them with tools to overcome the challenges of food insecurity and financial instability, as well as mitigating the mental health stressors that are associated with them.”

The Financial & Nutritional Literacy program started rolling out to classrooms on March 31 and is expected to reach 1,600 students per school year.