Chartwells Canada Partners with George Brown College to Launch National “Connecting Through Food” Campaign, to Address Student Food Security Concerns

TORONTO, Oct. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In honour of the lead-up to World Food Day on October 16^th, Chartwells Canada today announced the launch of their “Connecting Through Food” campaign, a national program focused on highlighting and addressing rising student food insecurity through education, awareness, and on-campus action. The campaign launched today at George Brown College Waterfront campus and will run at Chartwells- partnered colleges, universities, and independent schools across Canada tomorrow (October 5^th). Students, staff, and faculty can expect to see multiple activations within their educational facilities, such as limited-time offer meals – with 100% of proceeds going towards supporting on-campus food security initiatives, nutrition education from Registered Dietitians, and a ‘Spin to Give Back’ donation opportunity, among other interactive events.

“Food insecurity has been a long-standing issue for many postsecondary students, one that has been heightened in recent times by the pandemic,” said Dr. Gervan Fearon, President, George Brown College. “The Chartwells’ Connecting Through Food’ campaign builds on our commitment to mobilize the George Brown community and partners to help increase food security for our students. We are proud to join forces with Chartwells and our postsecondary partners to help ensure students access healthy, nutritious food.” 

The campaign is part of the vision of Chartwells Thinking Ahead Giving Back (TAGB) initiative. The country’s largest educational food service and support service provider proactively launched its TAGB vision 3 years ago, intent on transitioning from food service department to a collaborative thought partner, with the main pillar of their program focused on student food security. The “Connecting Through Food” campaign is considered the next evolution of this commitment. On October 5^th, Chartwells invites students to join them as they work towards their campaign donation goal of 100,000 meals in one day – part of their over-arching 1 million meals for student food security TAGB pledge.

“Research shows that about 40% of post-secondary students in Canada face food insecurity and we are committed to working with our educational partners to decrease this number through education and access. At Chartwells, we understand that healthy minds start with the right nutrition. As a large foodservice provider, we have an opportunity to have an impact in this space and are committed to doing so through our TAGB vision,” said Kevin Booth, executive vice president of Chartwells Canada. “Today, we are aiming to raise awareness, and to hit, or surpass, 100,000 meals donated to on-campus food security initiatives, as we continue to work towards our 1M meals pledge.”

The team launched their national campaign at George Brown College, located in one of Canada’s most urban cities.

Chartwells hopes to use its Connecting Through Food campaign as a kick-off to building awareness and education on important topics facing students today, as World Food Day approaches on October 16th. Students and community members can expect to see continued information and donation opportunities related to on-campus food security on their social channels throughout the coming weeks.

About Chartwells Canada – Compass Group Canada

Chartwells Canada is a sector of Compass Group Canada, the country’s leading foodservice and support services provider with over 25,000 associates working throughout the country. The company specializes in providing foodservices and support services across the core sectors including leading sports and leisure venues, executive dining rooms and cafes, schools, universities, seniors’ residences and hospitals as well as remote camps and offshore oil rigs. 

Compass Group Canada has been recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2021, an award recognizing best-in-class Canadian organizations for having cultures that help enhance performance and competitive advantage, as well as a Great Place to Work^®, in 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, as a Best Workplaces™ in Retail and Hospitality in 2021 and 2020 and as a GTA Top Employer in 2021. To learn more, visit www.compass-canada.com 

About George Brown College

Toronto’s George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples.

George Brown prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, applied research, and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 164 full-time programs and 180 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 27,100 full-time students, including 29 percent international students, and receives more than 58,000 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca

Media Contacts

Compass Group Canada
Courtney Gardner, Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
647.633.5420

George Brown College
Saron Fanel, External Communications Specialist
647 381 8982

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a07c8757-ea18-417d-932a-3d5ca8df718e