Canpotex initiatives target child hunger in our community
As the world’s largest exporter of potash, Canpotex strives to be a vital link in the pursuit of food security – around the globe and here at home.
On behalf of its two shareholders, Nutrien and Mosaic, Canpotex markets and delivers approximately 12 million tonnes of potash each year to customers in 40 different countries, spanning South America, Latin America, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Europe.
Potash contains potassium – a nutrient essential for healthy plant growth. “Potash is fundamentally critical to global food security, because it allows farmers to grow more food on a limited amount of land,” says Derek Gross, acting President and CEO of Canpotex. The application of potash-based fertilizers not only boosts crop yields, it significantly increases food quality.
Canpotex doesn’t just sell and deliver Saskatchewan potash to global markets. They also help educate farmers around the world about best agricultural practices to achieve food security, including balanced fertilization.
Over the next 30 years, the earth’s population will increase to approximately 10 billion people. “That’s going to require 70 per cent more food to be produced around the world on a limited amount of land,” says Gross. “That bodes well for the growth potential of the potash industry. Much of this increased food production will take place in overseas markets, which are highly competitive with potash suppliers from elsewhere in the world.”
Headquartered in Saskatoon, Canpotex recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. In particular, Canpotex has chosen to champion the fight against child hunger, supporting three important initiatives in Saskatoon.
Canpotex has been a major supporter of the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s Milk for Children program for the past three years. This program provides one litre of fresh milk in emergency food hampers to children 17 and under, along with pregnant and nursing women. “Our Milk for Children program offers a consistent source of quality nutrition,” says Deborah Hamp, Director of Operations and Engagement at the Saskatoon Food Bank. “We serve 19,000 to 20,000 people every month, and nearly half are children, so this program is absolutely essential. The energy, protein and nutrients found in milk help kids grow and learn.”
In September, Canpotex contributed $50,000 to match donations to the Milk for Children program. The campaign exceeded its goals, raising $105,963.81, enough for 73,000 litres of milk.
Hamp says the support received from Canpotex is “absolutely critical” to the program’s success. “Their strong financial contribution is married to an equally strong gift of volunteer time – accompanied by a genuine desire to learn about hunger and poverty and make a difference. This combination is very powerful.”
Throughout the year, Canpotex employees volunteer their time and energy at the Saskatoon Food Bank. “What has touched us the most though is that they have taken the time to get to know our community. Often working directly in our Client Services area, they do an excellent job of welcoming our community. They truly care about what is happening right here at home and it shows,” says Hamp.
Canpotex also supports the Salvation Army’s Weekend Investment in Nutrition program. This initiative supplements the school breakfast/lunch programs offered at King George and Princess Alexandra schools. While students are provided with healthy meals on school days, many go without proper nutrition on weekends.
To fill the weekend nutrition gap, qualified students each receive a backpack filled with six meals worth of food on Fridays. After the backpack is returned, it is refilled with food for the next Friday.
Christina Gerwing, Salvation Army Charitable Gift Advisor– Public Relations and Development, says, “Last year, the program provided over 15,000 meals and assisted over 2,500 people. Even though there are 26 children in the program, the food in the backpacks feeds entire families.”
Canpotex has donated $78,000 to the Weekend in Nutrition program since 2016. “The support we receive from Canpotex gives us the opportunity to fill that gap and reach out to those children. Canpotex is very genuine and compassionate in their desire to make sure that children have enough food to eat.
They’re very committed. Without the support we receive from Canpotex and the community as a whole, these programs would not exist.”
A third way that Canpotex supports children in our community is through the Canpotex Food for a Day program, in partnership with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. Canpotex has donated $60,000 to the program over the past three years. “Our contribution provides easy-to-prepare, familyfriendly meal packages to mothers who participate in the Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby and Food for Thought programs, where they learn about nutrition for their families,” says Gross.
“While we sell to overseas markets, we are a member of the local community and we know food security is an issue here at home. Corporately,
and from an employee perspective, we devote our time and donations to programs that target child hunger, recognizing that children are among the most vulnerable members of our community,” says Gross.