WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada – The Winnipeg Folk Festival and The University of Winnipeg are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see Diversity Food Services cater meals for all volunteers and performers at the 2014 Winnipeg Folk Festival this July. Nearly 10,000 meals are prepared and served each day during the five-day festival in the backstage La Cuisine kitchen facility.
Diversity Food Services is a joint program between the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) and SEED Winnipeg Inc. Its main goal is to provide job opportunities for new Canadians, Aboriginal people, UWinnipeg students and community residents, while using sustainable practices to produce quality food.
“We are so excited to build this new relationship with Diversity,” said Lynne Skromeda, the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s Executive Director. “Their values are so closely aligned with ours, and with their commitment to local, fresh, natural food — it’s the perfect addition to the Folk Fest experience for our community of volunteers and performers.”
The Festival partnership will allow Diversity to extend its regular period of employment well into its typical seasonal ‘lay off period’ for about a dozen employees.
“It also means we get to extend our commitment to sourcing food from local farms,” said Cindy Coker, Executive Director of SEED Winnipeg. “And for Diversity employees, it’s an exciting opportunity to be a part of an internationally recognized and locally treasured Festival experience, which brings so many cultures together.”
Managing Director of UWCRC Sherman Kreiner said he can’t think of a more suitable environment for new people to discover the delicious food Diversity produces, and its commitment to sustainability. “Like Diversity, The Winnipeg Folk Festival incorporates environmental sustainability as part of the audience experience, including serving food on reusable dishes to reduce waste, and encouraging composting. We are delighted to join our commitment to the environment with theirs.”
Folk Festival audience members can also enjoy the experience of Diversity at the event this year, as Diversity will be participating as a food vendor in the Festival Village.
About the Winnipeg Folk Festival
With one of North America’s premier outdoor music festivals as its signature event, the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a year-round, not-for-profit arts organization that presents live music, arts events, and education and outreach programs designed to benefit the community. The Festival also operates a performance space and music store in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District.
The 41st annual Winnipeg Folk Festival takes place July 9-13, 2014 in Birds Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada.
About Diversity Food Services
Diversity Food Services delivers excellent food services to The University of Winnipeg while providing meaningful employment and ownership opportunities for the community. Diversity’s mission is to provide food services that demonstrate the desire to meet the goals of sustainability at the University within a work environment that reflects a high level of training for the diverse group of employees.
For more information please contact:
Megan Benedictson
Communications Officer
The University of Winnipeg
204-988-7129
OR:
Kelly Romas
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
The Winnipeg Folk Festival
(204) 231-0096 ext. 241
kromas@winnipegfolkfestival.ca
