Kids and young adults who regularly access youth centres in Coquitlam are about to be nourished thanks to healthier options on their plate.
The city's youth strategy — implemented in 2019 — officially took its next step as the first distribution of a no-cost weekly fresh produce pilot program arrived at the Pinetree and Poirier Community Centres today (Sept. 15).
Every Wednesday, boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables are set to be delivered to the facilities in hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for dozens of kids that utilize recreation programs.
This includes cooking and other related learning sessions and will run until Dec. 17.
"The partnership [with Oppy] also provides Coquitlam youth programs with fresh food at no cost, allowing the City to offer low- or no-cost, inclusive youth programs focused on healthy food," explained Judy Hamanishi, Coquitlam community recreation manager, in a statement.
"The pilot program [...] was arranged through Coquitlam’s Corporate Partners program, which provides revenue and in-kind contributions for city services while giving businesses and organizations a chance to give back to the community, utilize marketing benefits and connect with a new or target audience."
Oppy is a Coquitlam-based company that supports food production and distribution to places across North America.
According to its bio, Oppy has delivered more than 50 million boxes of fresh produce in 160 years.
For more information about Coquitlam programs for children, youth and young adults, you're encouraged to visit the city's website.
