SASKATCHEWAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WINS EARTH’S OWN PLANT PROJECT GRANT
More than 200 applicants submitted proposals to the plant-based brand; Cruise Slater is one of four grant recipients across Canada
September 22, 2020 [Vancouver, BC] - Plant-based brand Earth’s Own announced today that Cruise Slater, a high school teacher in La Ronge Saskatchewan, has received one of the company’s inaugural “Plant Project” grants. Through the Plant Project program, Earth’s Own is providing funding and support to groups and organizations across Canada working to fight climate change by sparking a shift to plant-based eating. Slater will use the funding to purchase a hydroponic system for his classroom at Churchill Community High School in Northern Saskatchewan, helping teach his environmentally-minded students how to grow their own food.
As an educator, Slater has always shared his passion for science and technology with his students through inspiring initiatives, including sending a weather balloon to space and implementing a robotics program that reaches more than 300 students a year. More recently, Slater noticed his students engaging in active discussions about food production, and the environmental impacts of food choices - which sparked his desire to bring a growing system into his school community.
“I am beyond thrilled to have our program selected as an Earth’s Own Plant Project” says Slater. “Over the last ten years, I’ve seen the power of innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that tap into kids’ passions. For my students, that passion, right now, lies in environmental activism. This grant is not only good for the planet - it allows our amazing students to build on their passions and enrich their learning further.”
Earth’s Own launched the Plant Project program earlier this year, making funding available to anyone across Canada - from individuals to national charities - with a good idea on how to encourage more people to eat more plants.
“At Earth’s Own, we’re on a bold mission to change the world. We know that the planet can’t sustain our current eating habits, and that adopting a plant-based diet is the biggest thing we can do as individuals to fight climate change,” says Brittany Hull, Director of Marketing at Earth’s Own. “But we also know that we can’t make the kind of wholescale change the world needs alone - that’s what we’re so thrilled to be able to help support the amazing work being done by plant pioneers like Cruise.”
More than 200 groups and individuals submitted Plant Project applications. Final selections were made by a judging panel that included members of the Earth’s Own team and plant-based advocate and Plant Project ambassador Erin Ireland. Other 2020 Plant Project recipients include:
- Winnipeg-based Kirstie Brooks, who will use the grant to open that city’s first plant-based food truck, reminding Winnipeggers that eating plant-based can be both delicious and good for the planet.
- Lettuce Harvest, an East Vancouver-based non-profit that pairs yard space donated by community members with local volunteer support to redefine the typical community garden experience.
- Vancouver’s Eat the Dishes, a zero waste, plant-based food stand that offers creamy soups, chilis and delicious desserts all served in freshly baked, naturally seasoned edible bread cups.
“We have been blown away by the response to this project. It’s been so inspirational to see the innovative plant-based thinking being done across Canada by forward-thinking and enterprising Canadians working to save our planet,” says Hull. “Now comes the fun part: seeing how our support can propel these organizations and grow the plant-based movement here in Canada.”
The call-for-entries for the 2021 Plant Project program will be released next spring.
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Avery Smith