Culinary Management Students Partner with RFDA to Prepare Meals

(THUNDER BAY, ON – January 25, 2024) – Confederation College announced its partnership with the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) today to address food insecurity in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. The College’s Culinary Management students are collaborating with the RFDA through the new Food Production course, to prepare, cook, package, and freeze meals for distribution to those in need.

This initiative began last week and will run for 12 weeks as the Culinary Management students prepare thousands of pounds of food donated by RFDA. Yesterday and today the students are preparing 650 meals, including 43 turkeys. Throughout the semester, they will continue to prepare meals that will help those in need. This partnership not only provides valuable hands-on experience for students, but it allows the RFDA to increase the number of meals, especially healthy meals, they can put on the tables of people who need it the most. 

"The partnership with the RFDA provides our students with the opportunity to apply their culinary skills in a meaningful way," said Ken Veneruz, Program Coordinator, Culinary Management. “It provides a valuable learning experience for the students involved, and it benefits our community and the region.”

Volker Kromm, the RFDA’s Executive Director agrees. “We are extremely excited about this partnership with the college and Culinary Management program. The Food Production course seems like a perfect fit between our goal of getting healthier foods onto the tables of those who need it most and the program’s goal of giving their students meaningful learning opportunities. This is hopefully the first step, with more collaborations and partnerships to come. We are very grateful for this opportunity.” 

This initiative signifies a collaborative effort to address food insecurity in Thunder Bay and underscores Confederation College's commitment to community engagement and sustainable development.

The College's Culinary Management program offers a comprehensive two-year diploma for food enthusiasts aiming to excel in the culinary industry, providing hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs, and a deep dive into cooking techniques, from basic knife skills to sophisticated plate design and international cuisines. Students not only master culinary arts but also gain essential knowledge in business, legal, and marketing practices within the hospitality sector, all while gaining real-world experience through co-op placements in various establishments, ensuring they are well-equipped to become successful chefs, managers, or restaurateurs.

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Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has seven regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, as well as a growing Distance Education division. 

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full- and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $707.3 million annually.