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The Regina Food Bank teams up with BMO to fight food insecurity with Canada’s first at-scale choice model food bank – the BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub

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  • BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub enables clients to choose food that meets their unique dietetic and cultural needs

REGINA, SK /CNW/ – The Regina Food Bank, in partnership with BMO, will today open Canada’s first at-scale choice model food bank in the heart of downtown Regina – the BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub.

The BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub operates similarly to a grocery store for registered food bank users, where those accessing the food bank can shop for what they need and accommodate their unique dietary needs.


In 2023, the Regina Food Bank served 66,174 households, which was up 17% year over year. Over 17,000 people were fed every month including 5,400 new Canadians and 2,300 self-identified Indigenous clients.

The $1 million investment from BMO will enable clients to choose food that meets their unique dietetic and cultural needs. The choice model will help reduce barriers and stigma and provide a new tool to fight record food insecurity.  

ASAHTOWIKAMIK means “feeding lodge” in Cree. The name was gifted through ceremony by Elder Murray Ironchild of Piapot First Nation to the Regina Food Bank for their new location. ASAHTOWIKAMIK tells us that when we eat and share a meal, we feed ourselves, our relationships, and our community.

“BMO is proud to support Canada’s first at-scale choice model food bank here in Regina,” said June Zimmer, Regional President, Western Canada, BMO Private Wealth. “This donation is making a difference in our community by providing more options and greater food security for those that need it most. Investing in the communities we serve is inspired by BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and our commitment to making progress by eliminating barriers to inclusion.”

The BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub opening is the result of an extensive community campaign culminating in this transformative gift, according to Jeff Linner, Chair, Capital Campaign. “Our community has rallied behind our efforts to change forever how a food bank operates. This campaign has illustrated the generosity and spirit of our community. We have shown that with collaboration and big dreams we can create a healthier Regina. We are so grateful.”

According to Linner, the Food Hub is more than food, it is a space to promote and support community health. “Thanks to BMO and our donors, this space will be a hub for programming, including financial and nutritional literacy, and Indigenous-led food sovereignty programming. It will truly allow us to give a hand up to thousands of people in our community.” The Hub is also home to an outdoor community gathering space equipped with a play structure, basketball court, public art, greenery and benches.

The BMO ASAHTOWIKAMIK Community Food Hub will be open to food bank clients on August 16, 2024. It will be a critical tool to help feed over 17,000 people a month, nearly half of which are children.

A media event followed by a community festival and food hub tours will take place on August 15, 2024 at 11am. Media is asked to RSVP to David Froh dfroh@reginafoodbank.ca 

To learn more about the Food Hub visit https://www.reginafoodbank.ca/food-hub-campaign  

BMO Gives. Good grows here. 

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2023, our social impact included more than $84 million donated to hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations across North America to help drive progress by enabling individuals to thrive and communities to prosper. Our colleagues spent almost 62,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $31.2 million of donations through our annual employee giving program. For more information, please visit BMO.com

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About BMO Financial Group 

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.4 trillion as of April 30, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. 

About the Regina Food Bank

The Regina Food Bank is a charitable community-based organization working to fight food insecurity through nutritious food distribution, education, and support programs.

For over 40 years we have worked to restore dignity, health and hope for our clients. We also build community – rallying the community to make Regina a more fair, caring, and dynamic city. The Food Bank feeds over 15,000 people a month, making it the largest food security organization in Southern Saskatchewan.

SOURCE Regina Food Bank

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

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Food and Beverage

Blue Apron Named Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service for 2026 by Consumer365

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Blue Apron just picked up a new win in the prepared-meals space.

Consumer365 names Blue Apron the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service for 2026, citing chef-curated Dish by Blue Apron meals that arrive fully cooked, refrigerated, and ready to heat in 5–10 minutes—no subscription required.
Close up of shrimp fettuccine alfredo on blue background. Adobe Stock

Consumer365 has recognized Blue Apron as the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service (2026), pointing to the company’s chef-curated recipes and its growing lineup of ready-to-eat meals built for busy, time-constrained households. The recognition reflects growing consumer demand for convenient food options that reduce cooking time without sacrificing quality, structure, or variety.

Why prepared meals keep winning right now

The press release frames prepared meal delivery as a practical middle ground between cooking from scratch and defaulting to fast food or repetitive takeout.

Consumer365 notes the appeal comes down to a few clear benefits:

  • Less time spent cooking (and less cleanup)
  • Predictable portions and easier meal planning
  • Reduced food waste, since you’re not buying full-size ingredients you may not use
  • Flexibility for solo diners or households with irregular schedules

Prepared meals are especially useful during the workweek, when the friction of cooking can push people toward faster—but not always better—options.

What Consumer365 highlighted about Blue Apron

Consumer365’s recognition focuses on how Blue Apron has expanded beyond meal kits while keeping a consistent culinary identity.

Chef-curated structure across product lines

A key point: prepared meals under Dish by Blue Apron are developed by the same in-house culinary team behind Blue Apron’s meal kits. Consumer365 says that continuity helps maintain consistency in flavor development, portioning, and ingredient selection across different formats.

Refrigerated (not frozen) and fast to heat

Dish by Blue Apron meals arrive fully cooked and refrigerated (not frozen). Each meal is packaged as a single serving and designed to reheat in either a microwave or conventional oven.

Most dishes are ready in five to ten minutes, making them a solid option for lunches, quick dinners, or nights when cooking time is limited.

Rotating menus and nutrition standards

Consumer365 also points to weekly rotating menus that span a range of styles, including seafood-based dishes, vegetable-forward meals,

About Blue Apron

Blue Apron launched in 2012 and says it has delivered more than 600 million meals nationwide. The company describes itself as a flexible mealtime brand with a weekly rotating menu of 100+ meals, including pre-made options and meal kits. Blue Apron is also part of Wonder.

Read more

The full review is available at Consumer365.org.

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Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-prepared-meal-delivery-service-2026-blue-apron-recognized-for-chef-curated-recipes-by-consumer365-302692582.html

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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  • Daily News Staff
  • Rod Washington

    Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art. View all posts


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Food and Beverage

Sweet Coffee Cake with a Crunch

This content features a recipe for Cinnamon-Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake, characterized by its mild sweetness and crunchy topping. Served warm with ice cream or powdered sugar, it combines oats, flour, brown sugar, pecans, and cream cheese. Additional resources for recipes and food-related content are available on Culinary.net and STM Daily News.

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Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Coffee Cake

(Family Features) You can delight nearly any guest with this cake that delivers a mild sweetness and crunchy topping.  Serve it warm with a side of ice cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this delicious recipe!

FFES CINNAMON STREUSEL CAKE detail image embed1

Cinnamon-Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake

Recipe adapted from Wilton.

Nonstick cooking spray

Topping:

  • 3/4         cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/3         cup flour
  • 1/3         cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/4         cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2         teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4         teaspoon salt
  • 5             tablespoons butter, softened

Cake:

  • 1-1/2     cups flour
  • 3/4         teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2         teaspoon salt
  • 1/4         teaspoon baking soda
  • 8             ounces cream cheese
  • 3             tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2         cup sugar
  • 1             whole egg
  • 1             egg yolk
  • 5             tablespoons milk
  • 2             teaspoons vanilla extract
  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray 9-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. To make topping: In medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon and salt.
  4. Using pastry blender, cut butter into mixture until blended.
  5. To make cake: In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
  6. In large bowl, mix cream cheese, butter and sugar. Beat mixture until smooth.
  7. Add egg, egg yolk, milk and vanilla extract. Beat mixture until smooth.
  8. Combine flour mixture with cream cheese mixture. Spread mixture in pan. Sprinkle topping over batter.
  9. Bake 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or dust with powdered sugar.

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SOURCE:
Culinary.net

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations.


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Food and Beverage

A Springtime Twist on Classic Chicken Soup

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Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Chicken Soup (Family Features) Chasing away those final cool days in the spring can be done in a cinch: just turn classic chicken noodle soup into a fresh, lemony meal. This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup calls to mind those classic brothy soups from when you were a kid but with a flavorful spring twist. Serve with fresh cucumber sandwiches for a veggie-forward meal and find more soup inspiration at Culinary.net. 17435 chicken orzo soup detail image embed1

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
  • 6 cups broth
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • cucumber sandwiches, for serving
  1. Chop carrots and celery. In pot, saute with butter.
  2. In bowl, mix chicken with lemon juice and lemon pepper then set aside.
  3. After carrots and celery are tender, add broth and orzo to pot. Then add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes then add chicken and cream; simmer about 5 minutes.
  4. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cucumber sandwiches.
  collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures SOURCE: Culinary.net

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