For the fourth year in a row, the Mount’s student branch of the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP) has been awarded the prestigious CAFP Student Branch of the Year Award, at the National CAFP conference held in Saint John, NB in early June.
“Four wins in a row is unprecedented, but indicative of the commitment and hard work of the members,” says Linda Mann, CAFP Faculty Advisor and Associate Professor, Department of Applied Human Nutrition at the Mount.
This prize is awarded to the student branch that excelled in areas including: student body membership recruitment, educational meetings, published articles, humanitarian projects, publicity, special awards and co-operation with professional branches. There are 17 student branches across Canada vying for this award each year.
“Winning the award was a very memorable experience,” said Vanessa MacLellan, Branch President. “It’s evidence of our dedicated team work and outstanding student leadership and initiatives.”
The Mount Student CAFP Branch boasts 90 members, all of which are students in the Applied Human Nutrition program. This past year, the students initiated many projects including education sessions , such as a Dietitian’s panel discussion, Toastmasters Public Speaking workshop, a CFE/Bursary information session, and a tour of Gaspereau Vineyards and Foxhill Cheese House. They also volunteered their time participating at the Armstrong, Eastern, and Ideal Foodshow, Salvation Army meal preparation, Maritime Fall Fair, and Operation Christmas Child. New initiatives included an annual fundraising event for the Margaret Flemming Endowed Scholarship, a mentoring program with the CAFP Halifax/Dartmouth professional branch, and an event to launch Nutrition Month.
Other awards won by the Mount’s CAFP Student Branch this year are the Bob Taylor Memorial Bursary, the Ron Whittet Humanitarian Bursary (both won by Vanessa MacLellan), and two Ecolab Bursaries (won by Melinda Vanderheide and Krista McLellan).
One of the main objectives of CAFP is to assist young people seeking careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry. They do this in many ways including sponsoring Student Branches at colleges and universities offering programs in foodservice, hospitality and nutrition/dietetics.
In the picture, left to right, are Amy Stewart, Vanessa MacLellan and Melinda Vanderheide.
Pictured above (l-r): Mount students Amy Stewart, Vanessa MacLellan and Melinda Vanderheide