The International Grenfell Association (IGA) is proud to support a recent grant led by the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Student Representative Council (SRC) at the St. Anthony campus, an impactful, student-driven project focused on food security, sustainability, and overall well-being.
This grant supports a breakfast program that provides free, nutritious breakfasts to students twice each week during the academic year. By offering consistent, welcoming morning meals, the program helps reduce stress and supports students ability to focus and succeed in their studies. Beyond this the breakfasts also serve as a learning opportunity, allowing students to gain practical cooking and food preparation skills.
The project extends well beyond the cafeteria. Students at the St. Anthony campus are actively involved in hands-on food sustainability activities that include the development of a welcoming community garden and the use of a year-round greenhouse. From building garden boxes and preparing soil to planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops, students are engaged at every stage of the process. The produce grown is made available to the campus community and can also be taken home, reinforcing the idea of shared resources and practical self-sufficiency.
In addition, the campus operates a vertical hydroponic system capable of producing fresh produce each month. Housed in the cafeteria, the system offers students the opportunity to learn modern, space-efficient growing techniques while contributing directly to campus food security. Students are involved in planting, maintaining, and harvesting the crops, developing leadership skills and technical knowledge that extend far beyond the classroom.
Through this grant, the CNA St. Anthony SRC is building a sustainable, inclusive model that supports students academically, physically, and emotionally. Projects like this reflect IGA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities in Northern Newfoundland and Coastal Labrador by supporting grants that promote opportunity, and long-term well-being for students and their families.
