Article repurposed here with permission from Learning for a Sustainable Future. Click here for the full story.
On a mission to bring affordable food prices to their school, a group of Grade 6/7 students in Niagara Falls, Canada, conducted research and surveys that highlighted the lack of affordable and healthy products available in their community. Based on this discovery, they decided to open the Fresh Falls Market, a school-run fruit and vegetable market.
That decision netted the class at James Morden Public School the 2024 Empowering Youth for Climate Action Award, given annually to the top Action Projects posted on Our Canada Project to recognize outstanding student leadership and contributions to Canada’s sustainable future. Coordinating by Learning for a Sustainable Future, and with funding from the Government of Canada, the award was $3,000 to go towards their project.
The Fresh Falls market is hosted monthly in the school library and sells $5 produce bags. The students sourced their produce through their partnership with United Way, which provides monthly donations to contribute to the produce in each bag. The students also hoped to provide their community with more locally sourced food.
At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, the class received a $500 grant from Learning for a Sustainable Future. With that, the students built hydroponic produce growing systems which have allowed them to add local leafy greens to their bags.
The Fresh Falls Market has become a necessary service to their community and the customers are pleased with the affordability and quality of the produce bags. The James Morden Public School students are enthusiastic about its success and the positive impact it has had on their community!
For more information about the Fresh Falls Market, the Our Canada Project initiative, and other winners, visit www.ourcanadaproject.ca/
The Our Canada Project (OCP) was the brainchild of a diverse group of 22 youth from across Canada through a project by Learning for a Sustainable Future. These youth were brought together for 48 hours to figure out how to inspire all youth from every area in Canada to be more responsible citizens. The answer: give youth a chance to share their voice and they will take action.