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Local IODE chapter supports high school’s EcoVision project

EcoVision is developing an innovative food security project
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The Provincial Chapter of IODE Alberta presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to go towards Ecole Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School’s EcoVision project. Pictured here are teacher Steve Schultz, several students, and local IODE members Mary Lou Wilson and Donna Heymere. Photo submitted

The Provincial Chapter of IODE Alberta recently presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to go towards Ecole Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School’s EcoVision project.

According to an EcoVision release, Alberta - as a whole - ranks high in terms of food insecurity.

“LCHS students are somewhat representative of this demographic with 17 percent of our students experiencing moderate food insecurity (not having enough healthy food) and four percent severely food-insecure (not having any food).

“To address food insecurity, EcoVision, an environmental club at Ecole Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School, is developing an innovative food security project. This project will promote agricultural education, reduce our agricultural carbon footprint and encourage community collaboration as students proactively address food insecurity in the school and in the community, noted the release.

“The Food Security Project is a student-led initiative with three goals. The first goal is to grow more nutritious, environmentally friendly, leafy greens in a retrofitted urban cultivator.

“The second goal is to educate students in our food and agriculture classes about food security issues and how they can be part of the solution. The third goal is to partner with the government, community organizations, and individuals to support a universal food program at the high school where students can access healthy food once a day.”

The program will help to reduce hunger, improve access to nutritious food, increase health, and improve academic achievements.

Local organizations and individuals can also support the food program financially, through food donations or by volunteering.

EcoVision hopes to start the universal food program this month by offering students fruit, nutritious bars, and/or vegetables once a day from food carts situated in the school between block one and block two.

“As funding permits, we hope to grow the program by offering more students a larger selection of food items.”

Those interested in donating can contact Pat Dahl, financial administrator, at 403-782-6615.

All donations are tax-deductible.

For those who would like to donate or volunteer by helping to prepare/buy food, they can contact Steve Schultz at 403-782-6615 during school hours.