2021
A sixth edition all about generosity
The project also tackles food insecurity thanks to the generous solidarity of numerous families, which makes it possible to supply a total of 464 solidarity baskets to the most vulnerable.
Completed
Schools Take Root
To mobilize youth around healthy, local and sustainable food
Through a turnkey fundraising campaign, the Schools Take Root project promotes healthy, local and environmentally responsible food in schools and other youth settings in Quebec.
The challenge
All too often, youth fundraising campaigns feature products that are not environmentally responsible.
Schools Take Root is a turnkey alternative that helps fund projects through the sale of local organic vegetable baskets. In addition to being an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about sustainable food among youth and their families, the project also supports local farmers, providing an opportunity to discover the delicious vegetables grown here in Quebec.
“ Schools Take Root is a fantastic opportunity to educate young people about the importance of healthy eating, while at the same time raising funds for their schools. ”
Équiterre's work
Creator of the Schools Take Root project, Équiterre promotes healthy, local and environmentally responsible food in Quebec schools, educational childcare services and community organizations through a number of projects that help build links between institutions and local producers.
Objectives
- To enable youth, teachers, educators and families to discover, cook and enjoy more healthy, local and organic food;
- To educate youth on the importance of their food choices and encourage them to choose sustainable food;
- To support local and organic agriculture and encourage connections between farmers and their communities;
- To provide schools and families with tools to encourage lifestyle habits that promote the health of young people and of the planet, in addition to encouraging the local economy;
- To contribute to the food security of vulnerable families through solidarity baskets.
Our impact
33,181 vegetable baskets distributed
49 Family Farmers Network participants
337 campaigns carried out in 181 institutions in 13 regions of Quebec
112,815 young people reached
Project history
2020
An edition based on the theme of resilience
The project adapts to the pandemic and deliveries continue to comply with health regulations.
2019
Schools Take Root continues to grow
115 schools sell more than 11,000 baskets of organic vegetables to fund their projects, thanks to support from some 30 Quebec farms.
2018
Project expands to all of Quebec
A total of 74 schools, early childhood settings and community organizations across Quebec participate in the project.
2017
Fundraising campaigns launched
The project expands and is introduced in 20 schools and early childhood settings in Montréal and the Montérégie region.
2016
First edition of Schools Take Root project
Two Montréal schools take part in an innovative fundraising campaign featuring organic vegetable baskets from two local farms..
Testimonials
“ "I really believe in this project. We hope that it will go viral and become a must in Quebec and in Canada. I can only see positive things. It is a visionary and relevant project more than ever. We are proud to be part of it." ”
“ "Thank you for everything. In addition to our work, we participate in this project because we believe in healthy eating. We are teaching some wonderful values to our children, more than just selling chocolate." ”
“ "An example of win-win solidarity: so many happy people--parents, kids who choose the funniest carrots to eat on the spot, schools that benefit from this to fund their green projects, farms that reinvest the money to feed even more families... Wow!" ”
Get involved
Related content
Project Team
Chargée de projets, Alimentation durable
Chargée de communications, Alimentation et agriculture durable
Agente d'informations et de logistique, Alimentation durable
Main Contact
Le projet Écoles enracinées pour une alimentation saine, locale et écoresponsable, conçu par Équiterre, est mis en œuvre par le Réseau des fermier·ères de famille. Il a pris naissance au sein du Système alimentaire montréalais (SAM), en partenariat avec la Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) et la Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal. Il a été rendu possible grâce au soutien, entre autres, du ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, de Metro, du Mouvement J’aime les fruits et légumes, de Bonduelle et d'Aliments du Québec.
