TIGNISH, P.E.I. — After putting in a 10 or 11-hour shift at work, it can be difficult to find the motivation and the energy to go for fresh air and exercise, or to get a lunch ready for the next work shift, Cheryl DesRoches said.
But DesRoches, the Human Resources assistant manager at Tignish Fisheries/Royal Star Foods, is so convinced the proper mix of exercise and nutrition is essential to one’s health that she submitted a wellness grant application to the provincial government for help in promoting healthy lifestyle choices at the workplace.
So far Tignish Fisheries has organized healthy breakfast programs and is arranging for guest speakers to talk to workers about nutrition, exercise, chronic disease-prevention and other things necessary for good health.
For employees’ first break in the morning, DesRoches brought in packets of oatmeal that were ready to serve with hot water. She had additives like fruit, hemp hearts and yogurt that they could add to the dish.
“They had the breakfast at the first break, 8 o’clock. They started their shift at six,” she said. “For a lot of them, who’s going to have breakfast at five in the morning?”
“Even if you get your foot out the door to the gate, it’s a start,” she said. “I know it makes me feel better, even though it’s hard to get your foot out the door to do something. Sometimes you have to force yourself.”
-Cheryl DesRoches
Lisa Inman, a fellow office worker at Tignish Fisheries, the largest employer in West Prince, attended the free breakfast. “That’s what I’m having for breakfast from then on,” she said, describing oatmeal as her new go-to breakfast.
She admitted she had never even heard of hemp hearts before.
Although the breakfast was easy to prepare, DesRoches said the challenge at the sprawling plant is that the workers have different breaks and different locations where they gather.
A breakfast presentation does mean extra time away from the processing line or other work activities, but DesRoches sees it as time gained, rather than time lost.
“In the long run, you want to feel good.”
More food demonstrations are in the works including a monthly lunch and learn dinner in February and March. As the plant is not currently processing, fewer workers are around Laid off workers will be invited in for the special meals where they will see how the meal is prepared, dig in, and get the recipe, too.
DesRoches said special guests, including representatives from YouMove Physio and Go! West Prince will be invited in to give presentations to staff.
Tignish Fisheries/Royal Star Foods was one of 13 businesses and organizations receiving a share of the $50,000 in wellness grants that the Department of Health and Wellness awarded in December. Since the program’s launch in January 2015 more than 60 projects have received funding.
The plant is eligible for up to $5,000 in funding for food, presentations and supplies like exercise mats and resource material.
DesRoches is optimistic activities will continue after the funding expires. DesRoches said a committee is being formed to help coordinate and run activities. She’s hoping that following initial fitness presentations, fellow workers will become leaders of exercise routines, such as stretches and yoga, that could help workers prepare for their shifts.
“It just gets the ball rolling. It gets people happier, and I find happier makes people feel better,” DesRoches said. “Even if you get your foot out the door to the gate, it’s a start,” she said. “I know it makes me feel better, even though it’s hard to get your foot out the door to do something.
“Sometimes you have to force yourself.”
