2025 Pollinators: Peden Hill Elementary

This year, five schools nominated by their communities received a $1,300 grant along with their F2SBC Pollinator Award to host a local field trip or school food feast. Here’s how Peden Hill Elementary chose to celebrate through food.

Peden Hill hosted a full-day Celebration of Learning through Food, bringing together students, staff, families, and community partners for a feast that highlighted culture, diversity, and shared values.

The day opened with powerful words from guest speakers. Elder Charlie Joseph of the local nation reminded students of the land’s importance, the way it sustains us all, and how Peden Hill — made up of many nations — is one community. Assistant Superintendent Pam Spooner recognized the impact of the Pollinator Grant, speaking to the school’s diversity, its commitment to feeding students, and the importance of strong relationships between schools, families, and broader systems of support.

Indigenous Education Supervisor Larry Garnot and Indigenous Education Worker Savannah Garnot also spoke about the school, its community, and Indigenous ways of learning. Principals Monica Berra (Feeding Futures) and Harmen Kailay (Peden Hill) shared reflections on the organization of the feast, the Pollinator Grant, and the values at the heart of the school.

Monica described how the feast was a collective effort: two schools with full kitchens and the Peden Hill canteen were used to prepare dishes, with staff, parents, and students all participating. Recipes reflected the diversity of the student body, and the menu was supported by both a Red Seal chef at Nusdeh Yoh (Indigenous Choice School) and local producers like P&R Organics. Harmen spoke about the school’s guiding values — Respect, Responsibility, Ownership, Cooperation, Kindness, and Safety (RROCKS) — and how they shape a strong and connected community.

The feast itself was as diverse as the community it celebrated. Students and guests shared Indigenous foods such as beef barley soup and bannock, alongside a wide array of Asian dishes, including sushi, Filipino, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Western classics like pasta, lasagna, baked goods, and BBQ rounded out the table, with salads, a dessert spread of cakes and pastries, and drinks to complete the meal.

Thanks to Farm to School BC, Peden Hill students and their community were able to come together in a meaningful way — to eat, to learn, and to celebrate the strength of their diverse school community through food.

Thank you, Farm to School BC!