Breaking Ground: A New Home for the Saskatoon Food Bank, Fueled by Nutrien

A long-awaited dream is being realized as the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre breaks ground on a new home— one that promises greater community impact and expanded support. The non-profit, their staff and volunteers are on the frontlines of an overwhelming challenge: to reduce poverty, influence systems, and encourage grassroots community building. Their current facility since 1990, a former 7-Up bottling plant, is bursting at the seams. But under the future roof as part of the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, the Food Bank’s offsite storage and programs will come together in one building. It’s expected to create efficiencies and open the door to expanded service sat a time when they’re needed more than ever.

Pictured: Chris Reynolds, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Nutrien, Senos Timon, Ward 2 City Councillor, Laurie O’Connor, Executive Director, Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, Scott Masson, Board Chair.

“We have been working toward this day for over thirteen years,” says Laurie O’Connor, Executive Director, Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Standing on the plot of land that will soon become the place she’s longed to see in the community, Laurie tears up. “The road has not always been an easy one, but the same holds true for anything worth doing.”

Chris Reynolds, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, shares in Laurie’s enthusiasm and pride — not only because of Nutrien’s financial donation, but he supported the capital campaign as committee chair. Chris often volunteers with his family at the Food Bank, instilling values of compassion, respect, collaboration, and community responsibility — and the most fundamental truth: no one should be hungry.

“There’s a perception that food security just applies to people below the poverty line and unfortunately, that is not the case,” says Chris Reynolds. “Nutrien’s support of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre is more than a donation.We have contributed and helped farmers around the world grow the food that we need to feed a growing population. The connection to improving food security is very, very important to us.”

The $2.5 million donation that Nutrien provided toward the Plant Possibility Capital Campaign kickstarted the financial contributions, but Nutrien also invests time.Thousands of community members rely on the services and emergency food that is safe, affordable, and nutritious. The Food Bank relies on its volunteers, every hour and every dollar count. Nutrien staff regularly roll up their sleeves as part of the employee volunteer program— which reflects the value of time in making a difference.

At the groundbreaking event, Laurie expressed how much the collaboration and shared vision with Nutrien has meant to her entire team.

“Nutrien has changed what is possible for the Food Bank & Learning Centre,” says Laurie, “ and that belief in the work we do in community is a clear demonstration that access to food is a shared responsibility that begins in our own communities.”

With the doors set to open in the spring of 2027, the dream is a collective one.

“It looks like a bare piece of ground right now, but we can all see and envision what it’s going to be in such a few short years and I’m just so proud that Nutrien is a part of this,” says Chris.

Nutrien and the Saskatoon Food Bank invite everyone to participate in this transformation — through volunteering, donating, and building a community where everyone has access to nourishment and the opportunity to thrive.

To learn more or donate, visit Nutrien Plant Possibility — Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.