CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Conestoga and Cambridge Food Bank to create videos teaching cooking skills with Dawn Foods grant

Conestoga and the Cambridge Food Bank received funds from the Dawn Foods Corporate Giving program to create videos teaching basic cooking skills with the aim of increasing food security and overall health and well-being of those accessing food support.

Photo: The Dawn Foods Corporate Giving program awarded a grant to Conestoga and the Cambridge Food Bank to create videos teaching basic cooking skills.

The Cambridge Food Bank will work with experts at the college to create four videos that will be showcased in food and nutrition programs at the food bank, as well as sharing the series with the Feed Ontario Food Bank Network to use in their nutrition programs - further expanding the project's reach. 

Development of the video series will be supported by a full-time researcher from the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL), who will create the content in collaboration with the food bank. They will also supervise a paid student researcher, who will develop the video content and work with the researcher to coordinate video development using in-house media production services at the college.

"CFRIL is excited to continue collaborating with Cambridge Food Bank on this project generously funded by Dawn Foods. The outcomes of this project will touch many lives into the future, and we are eager to support the meaningful vision of Cambridge Food Bank," said Nicole Detlor, director of the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab.

Topics will include basic food safety and safe food handling, use of basic culinary tools, batch cooking and repurposing leftovers, and basic baking skills. This content will support in-person facilitators with expert information for participants and be useful for training staff and volunteers in the food bank kitchen where produce is diverted before it becomes waste and is processed for food programs.

The Cambridge Food Bank has been serving the City of Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries since 1987, which together now has a population of more than 156,000 people. 

The goal is to create equity among participants accessing services of the Cambridge Food Bank who would benefit from learning basic kitchen skills which can alleviate food insecurity. Food Banks Canada reports that 23 per cent of people in Canada - nearly one in four - now live in food-insecure households. Seniors, children and people with disabilities are most impacted.

Food and nutrition literacy is a basic life skill that not all people have access to either at home or school.  Basic knowledge of nutrition and kitchen skills increase food security, as well as general health and well-being. Access to free, low-barrier and accessible programs offered at the food bank also increases a sense of belonging for participants, as well as increasing confidence and esteem in the kitchen.

Amy Slack, director of operations at the food bank, said the partnership will have a profound impact on the local community and beyond.

"Our collaboration with Conestoga, generously funded by Dawn, will address the critical gap in food and nutrition literacy through free, accessible and low-barrier videos that empower participants with the essential knowledge needed to prepare nutritious meals, handle food safely, and build confidence in the kitchen. By fostering a sense of belonging and self-reliance, this initiative promotes equity and supports lasting improvements in participants' overall quality of life," Slack said.

"We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Conestoga and the generous funding from Dawn, which together provide the expertise and resources needed to create meaningful change. By leveraging Conestoga's food and video professionals to develop custom, high-quality video content, we can address the unique challenges facing Cambridge Food Bank participants.

"Dawn's support ensures this vital work will positively impact hundreds of participants and countless families, empowering them with essential food literacy skills and building a foundation for lasting food security, health and confidence in our community. Additionally, sharing these custom resources with our partners at Food Banks Canada and Feed Ontario will amplify the impact, extending these benefits to communities across the province and nation."

CFRIL also received a $25,000 grant from Dawn Foods last April for research on sustainability ideas for bakeries. Conestoga was one of the first Canadian recipients of the award from the corporate giving program of the international bakery ingredient manufacturer and distributor. Findings from the research project were presented at a sustainability symposium held at the Waterloo campus in October.

The Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab meets the needs of industry through education, training, research and technical expertise. Its advanced facilities are essential in providing solutions for small, medium, and large businesses in the food and culinary sector. The focus is to work with partners to provide innovative solutions and support throughout the product development cycle, including formula development, shelf-life studies, packaging testing, and scale-up using pilot plant equipment.