Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank BackPack Program Expands

In the heart of Louisiana, nestled along the Mississippi River, St. James Parish is a community rich in culture, resilience, and potential. According to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, one in six children in St. James Parish are food insecure, facing a staggering meal gap of more than 460,000 meals. This means that thousands of children are going without the nutrition they need to grow, thrive, and—critically—succeed in school.

Food insecurity doesn't just mean empty stomachs; it means distracted minds, diminished energy, and delayed development. That is why The Mosaic Company announced in 2023 a three-year, $600,000 investment in partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to launch the St. James BackPack program.  Mosaic, the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash fertilizer, recognizes the critical importance of providing nutritious food to communities.

“There is nothing more closely tied to our mission to help the world grow the food it needs than food security,” said Brandon Keller, Mosaic Public Affairs Manager – Louisiana. “Ensuring our children have the meals they need to thrive and succeed is a critical priority for us – as we’re a support to our neighbors and friends in the communities where we live and operate.”

For students, especially those in elementary and middle school, consistent access to nutritious meals is directly tied to their ability to concentrate, retain information, and perform academically.

In 2024, the BackPack program grew 47 percent. More than 800 students and six schools participated, bringing the total meal kits distributed to more than 24,500.

“We are so excited about the impact this investment has had in St. James, and the growth we've seen in the BackPack program,” said Brian Hightower, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Chief Development Officer. “With uncertain access to federal funding and donated food, strong partnerships with generous organizations in our communities will be crucial to helping us continue to feed our neighbors and rise to meet the need as it grows.”

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank supports 11 parishes and faces an annual meal gap of 25.8 million meals. The food bank offers essential services like backpacks, school pantries, and school closets, but these resources were not available in St. James Parish prior to Mosaic’s investment. With Mosaic’s support, hundreds of children in St. James Parish will now have access to nutritious meals during non-school hours.

In addition to establishing the Backpack Program, Mosaic's contributions have helped the Food Bank provide food to children and families through partner agencies and special events, like the STEM Fest Distribution in June of 2024. More than six partner agencies collaborated to distribute more than 600 boxes.

Food security is not a luxury—it’s a foundation. For the children of St. James Parish, ensuring access to nutritious meals is essential to unlocking their full potential in the classroom and beyond. By coming together as a community, we can nourish not just bodies, but minds—and build a brighter future for all.

Mosaic employees volunteering with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in St. James Parish.