To raise awareness of our work and funds to support it, Nourish Nova Scotia participates in the Blue Nose Charity Challenge. Michelle Garcia, Community Outreach Worker with Schools Plus in the Halifax Region, will be running for Nourish Nova Scotia for a second time, and in costume! Get to know her and join us in cheering her on.

How did your connection with Nourish start?

I attended a HRCE Schools Plus Professional Development Day and got to hear about their school food programs and initiatives for children and youth. That day, the Schools Plus Team had the opportunity to prepare healthy snacks, which can be done with our students. Our Schools Plus team have been working in collaboration and in partnership with Nourish NS ever since.

What does your work as a Schools Plus Community Outreach Worker mean to you?

Besides offering group programming to students, parents, and caregivers, we connect students and their families to supports and resources in school and in our community. Connections really do matter and empower communities to thrive.

Given that this isn't your first Blue Nose Marathon, what made you want to run for Nourish again this year?

My running partner and I are passionate about supporting healthy school food programming in our schools. Community begins from the ground up and this is our way of giving back to our community, literally one step at a time.

What made you think of running a 10K in a costume?

While living in the UK, we enjoyed races such as the London Marathon where participants wear costumes to highlight the great work of charities. People in costume always make people smile. At last year's Bluenose, we were cheered every step of the way and had so much fun promoting Nourish NS. I think if you could bottle up what community connection feels like, this was it!

If you had a magic wand, and could change one thing about Nova Scotia's food landscape tomorrow, what would it be and why?

I would create the infrastructure to support community food security = more farmer's markets, community gardens, urban farms, etc. Local food is fresh, tasty and healthy and knowing where our food comes helps consumers make more informed food choices which can improve overall health.

To support Michelle, aka, #TeamCollins, visit their Race Roster page linked here.

Blue Nose Champion: Michelle Garcia!