New monitoring technology is looking after the coolers at the Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre.

Atlas Automation, a local tech firm located not far from the Nourishment Centre, has installed monitors that watch the temperature in all five food bank refrigerators and three freezers to ensure nothing goes wrong.

The system includes long-term battery backup and will warn staff anywhere, even when no one is in the building.

Keeping food at a safe temperature is necessary to keep it safe and avoid waste.

Atlas Automation owner Jake Fluker says his wife, a member of the food bank board of directors, told him about the need and he was happy to help.

Providing expertise and equipment to a great cause like the food bank is a good way for Atlas to help the community, Fluker says.

In other food bank news, the annual Spring Food Drive was a success last week.

The food bank collected 5,864 lbs of food, and $4,876 in donations over the two days of the drive: Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14.

The drive collected 9,623.6 lbs of food and $8,112.64 in donations in July, 2025.

This is one of three major annual food drives in support the Nourishment Centre. The Christmas drive is the oldest and largest. A fall drive is also held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.