A Square Roots Token that can be used to redeem a meal at Medicine Hat College - Photo by Ross Lavigne

By Charles Lefebvre

Square Roots Token Program

New program at college aims to reduce food waste, food insecurity

Jan 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Buy a token, get a meal, help keep food out of the landfill.

A program with the goal of reducing food waste from restaurants is set to be rolled out at Medicine Hat College in the coming weeks.

The Enactus Club at the college is bringing in the Square Roots Token Program, starting it at the college’s cafeteria.

“We’re working to address two issues in our community; one is food waste from restaurants, just throwing away extra food, and food insecurity, people not being able to access enough food,” said Sydney Campbell, project lead for the program.

The Square Roots Token Program was previously initiated by the Enactus Club at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Campbell says the university is assisting them as they launch the program.

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It involves students purchasing a $5 token from the Students’ Association office, which can be redeemed for a meal at the cafeteria. The money is split 50/50 between the restaurant and the club.

“It’s a cheaper way for them to get food, and it’s a way for that restaurant to get rid of their excess food at the end of the day, and still make some money,” said Campbell.

Campbell says in addition to helping reduce waste, it can also improve access to food for students.

“The amount of people using the food bank has really increased over the last couple of years,” said Campbell. “We had a food bank initiative on campus. I work in the Students’ Association and people come in every day for the food bank, so definitely food insecurity is a real issue, and it’s a necessity we all need.”

Campbell says the goal is to have the program in place at the college by the end of February, and partner with more restaurants later in the year.

The Enactus Club recently received a $500 donation from the Sunrise Rotary Club for the project.