Food security isn’t just about making sure there’s enough to eat today. It’s about making sure the next generation knows how to feed themselves, their families, and their communities tomorrow. That’s the kind of investment United Way Northumberland is making, and the results are growing.

A Program That Doubled

Our investment in the IncrEdible Trent Hills School Nutrition Program allowed the program to double, and now they’re reaching even more Grade 8 students across Trent Hills. What that means is more students learning to grow their own food, cook meals from farm to table, and better understanding the connection between what they plant and what they eat. And that’s something that lasts long after the school days end.

This is exactly the kind of community-rooted, food-forward programming that drives our Northumberland Eats strategy and our commitment to school food infrastructure,and it’s growing where it’s needed most – in our rural communities.

Equipping Every School, Reaching Every Student

The IncrEdible Trent Hills story is one part of a larger commitment. Under our pillar Helping Kids Be All They Can Be, United Way Northumberland believes every student deserves access to healthy food that fuels learning and growth. That belief translated into action across Northumberland County, where 38 schools received kitchen tools to strengthen their school nutrition, breakfast, and snack programs.

What does that look like in practice? Everything from bowls, plates, and cutting boards to cutlery, utensils, and storage containers. Blenders and smoothie makers. And for schools where the need was greatest, new fridges, stoves, and food warmers. It was a significant undertaking, and it reached every school across our rural communities. In total, 4,412 students participated in nutrition programs supported through this work. That number matters.

Northumberland Eats: A Five-Part Strategy for Food Security

The school nutrition work sits within a broader vision, Northumberland Eats, a five-part strategy for building lasting food security across Northumberland County:

Feed — Supporting community meal programs that keep people nourished today

Grow — Funding farm-to-table initiatives that connect communities to local food

Seed — Piloting innovative ideas from current food providers so good ideas can take root

Thrive — Sustaining existing, successful food security projects that are already making a difference

Learn — Educating about food production, nutrition, and self-sustainability for the long term

The IncrEdible Trent Hills School Nutrition Program lives beautifully across several of these streams: growing food, learning to cook, and developing an understanding where food comes from. It’s the kind of program that doesn’t just feed students; it builds the knowledge and confidence to feed themselves.

Why This Work Matters

Food costs are rising. Rural communities face unique challenges in accessing fresh, healthy food. And the gap between what students need and what they have access to is real. United Way Northumberland is committed to closing that gap – not just with meals, but with skills, tools, and community-rooted programs that last.

That growth is made possible by supporters like you. Your donation to United Way Northumberland puts seeds in the ground, literally and figuratively. Help us keep this growing at www.mynuw.org.