Compass Group Canada promotes food security through its Nourish program

Investment supports Food Bank Canada's community garden program

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Working together to eliminate food insecurity, Compass Group Canada has partnered with Food Banks Canada to provide Canadian families-in-need with greater access to fresh, nutritious food through its Nourish program. Nourish supported Food Banks Canada's Community Garden Fund which was granted to nine food banks across Canada to help develop community gardens and food education programs. In the spirit of the season, special Thanksgiving-themed recipes have been developed by one of Compass' corporate chefs, using ingredients grown in the community gardens, and shared with all participating food banks.

"Food insecurity is a serious and growing problem in Canada. We want to ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food to lead a healthy and productive life," said Saajid Khan, CEO, Compass Group Canada. "By supporting the work of Food Banks Canada to provide educational resources, our Nourish program is designed to offer a hand up versus a hand out."

Food security often refers to an individual's access to food and food availability; however, it goes beyond hunger. Food security is the availability of sufficient nutrition to guarantee a healthy diet and avoiding the health implications of malnutrition.

"Healthy and nutritious food is at the core of what we do," adds Chef Breanne Coulton, corporate chef, Compass Group Canada. "We believe in working to support all Canadian households are food secure by increasing  access to fresh, nutritious food, while improving the skills to prepare food."

The Nourish program supports Food Banks Canada's community gardens, which enables food banks to have access to more fresh, nourishing food as well as educational resources to ensure high levels of participation in fresh food adoption, food preparation and healthy eating. Additionally, this funding helped to create a community garden toolkit to expand fresh food availability across Canada.

This Thanksgiving and throughout the year, Compass employees will help develop recipes, hold local cooking classes, deliver safe food handling talks and more.

About Compass Group Canada
Compass Group Canada became a market leader in contract foodservice and facilities management through a simple recipe: great people, great service and great results. This easy-to-follow recipe serves millions across the nation, from serving delicious, nutritious meals at school cafeterias, corporate cafes, hospitals and remote camps to routine cleaning and maintenance services at your workplace and airports. Chances are good that if you're hungry and away from home, you've tasted Compass Group's award-winning food and experienced our exceptional support services.

About Nourish
Launched in October 2014, Compass Group Canada created its corporate program Nourish, and is working in partnership with Food Banks Canada, to increase the amount and diversity of fresh, nutritious food to Canadians families-in-need whom experience food insecurity. Through its community gardens initiative, food bank clients' will have access to more fresh, nourishing food as well as educational resources to ensure high levels of participation in fresh food adoption, food preparation and healthy eating.

SOURCE Compass Group Canada

Spenser Whalen, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, 416.413.4610, [email protected]