OREANDA-NEWS. November 02, 2012. Students at Coronation Park Elementary School in Regina will be supplied with nutritious lunches for the 2012/2013 school year through a partnership between PotashCorp and The Salvation Army.

PotashCorp announced in Regina today a USD 45,000 investment in The Salvation Army’s Food on the Move School Feeding Program, which currently provides at least 70 healthy bagged lunches to the school’s children every weekday. The funds will be used to purchase, prepare and transport the meals to the school.  The program has the potential to be expanded to other Regina schools.

“When people don’t have enough to eat – especially children – it makes it difficult for them to achieve their full potential and reach their dreams. Hunger isn’t just a problem in developing nations, it happens in our own communities and affects our neighbours,” said Rhonda Speiss, PotashCorp’s Manager, Corporate Philanthropy.  “PotashCorp’s support of the Salvation Army’s Food on the Move program in Regina is an investment in the children of the Coronation Park Elementary School. We believe nutritious lunches will help these students focus on their education and reach their goals.”

The Food on the Move School Feeding Program began in March 2012 as a pilot project. PotashCorp’s support will allow it to continue through the remainder of the school year, explained Major Doug Binner, Executive Director of the Salvation Army’s Haven of Hope Community Ministries.

“The Salvation Army recognized that there were children attending Regina schools who didn’t receive nutritious lunches, so it was our goal to help alleviate that issue by helping feed as many vulnerable kids as possible,” Binner said.

“Together with PotashCorp, we’ve found a unique way to connect with these kids and continue to bring nutritious food to these students."

Each of the lunches consists of a healthy sandwich, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk or real fruit juice and a treat. The meals respect the dietary needs of different cultures, religions and health limitations.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.