Feeding minds, bellies, futures in Digby County

Within the classrooms of a Digby County junior/senior high school, food is a catalyst for youth empowerment, more than just nourishment for the body and mind.

Backed by Clare Community Health Board, students at École secondaire de Clare in Meteghan River had their aprons on in the kitchen and hands dirty in the garden as they’ve been filling bellies and feeding futures.

With chef Shane Robicheau of Cuisine Robicheau and the Clare Share Fridge Communautaire leading the charge, the students mastered budget-friendly cooking and dished-up help for those in need, while celebrating Acadian and newcomer food cultures. 

“Honestly, it means a lot to the kids, but it means even more to the community. They see the kids engaged and working with our group, giving back through food,” Shane explains.

“Sure, anyone can go to the store and buy a couple cases of Mr. Noodles and tomato sauce. But what’s more meaningful is providing fresh meat, a homemade sandwich, or a nice fruit cup with yogurt - things the kids prepared themselves.”

Shane, who runs his own restaurant and food trucks, founded the Clare Share Fridge Communautaire.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the support we receive and we take pride in using it in ways the community can clearly see. They can say, ‘Oh yeah, they did that with the money’ — and that matters,” Shane says.

The Clare Community Health Board has contributed over $7,000 toward Clare Share Fridge Communautaire. The spending factors in multiple years of support for various projects, dating back to when it started in 2022.

Community health board wellness funds support non-profit groups working to improve health in their communities. Among other things, grants go toward programs that promote food security, housing, transportation and social participation. The goal is to reduce risks of poor health outcomes in Nova Scotia communities.

Between 10 and 15 students participate in the classes, which take place up to three times per week during the school year. Shane is among a throng of volunteers providing guidance and expertise.

Donations and community health board funding helped cover the cost of ingredients, kitchen supplies, storage capacity and packaging. “Whatever money that comes in, we go buy the stuff and then we create with whatever recipe we have,” Shane says.

The four “fridge” locations are in the Digby County communities of Saulnierville, Havelock, Church Point and Meteghan.

"Before, we mostly bought non-perishable items like noodles, sauces, cereal, powdered milk, juice, coffee, hygiene products, and toilet paper — just the basics. But with one of our units having a fridge and freezer, we can now buy dairy, milk, eggs, meat — basically anything affordable or on sale — to help more people,” Shane says.

This year’s community health board grant "helped us launch a new meal education and cooking program with high school students. We go into the school, and about 85 per cent of the funding goes straight to food,” Shane says.

“The students choose recipes, scale them, shop with the teacher, cook together, repackage and label the meals — things like lasagna, breakfast bowls, rice with vegetables and meat. Then we freeze or refrigerate them for distribution. Each group takes ownership and I just make sure everything is safe and runs smoothly in the kitchen. It's been great to see the youth so engaged."

Shane says students are fully engaged and take all aspects seriously, such as the food preparation and safety aspects, just like in a real restaurant.

“They’re learning real life skills, and you can see it sticks with them. I’ll run into kids at the grocery store or in town, and they always ask, ‘When can we do this again?’,” Shane explains. “That tells me it means something; It’s hands-on, not just sitting in a classroom and it brings out a different kind of passion.” 

More about the Clare Share Fridge Communautaire can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/ClareShareFridge on the internet.

Photo of junior high and high school student volunteers at Clare Share Fridge Communautaire.