York's school nutrition programs depend on community support
Thornhill parent, Woodbridge firm make donations to Food for Learning

YorkRegion.com
Dec. 2, 2014

It’s 7:30 a.m. at your local elementary school, students are eating and laughing together, brought together over a healthy meal.

Across York Region, students’ minds, bodies and souls are being nourished at their school’s student nutrition programs. Hundreds of staff, parents and community volunteers prepare free breakfast and snacks for thousands of children and youth each day.

Students cherish breakfast time at school as they are able to bond with new friends and fill their tummies in a welcoming atmosphere. A typical breakfast program menu is eggs, whole wheat toast and fresh fruit.

For some students it may be the only meal they eat today. Poverty is a reality in York Region; some children come to school hungry every day. 

At other schools in our region, grade 7 and 8 students are volunteering daily to help wash apples and pack multi-grain crackers, a healthy snack they will enjoy with their peers just after morning recess. Older students are not just being nourished through these free nutrition programs, they are learning about health, nutrition, social justice and leadership.  Free and universally accessible student nutrition programs are offered in 171 schools in York Region.

The reasons?

Hungry children have difficulty focusing and learning in class. An open school nutrition program benefits the entire school population and studies link student nutrition programs to better academic performance, attendance rates and higher test scores.

Nearly 30,000 students participate in nutrition programs each day in York Region. The major threat to the programs is the lack of funding that is available to support and sustain them. 

Although there are a number of dedicated funders for these programs, including the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and the York Region Community Investment Strategy, school programs are still under-funded and looking to the community for financial help. 

Supporting the local school programs in York is a community partnership called York Region Food For Learning. Food for Learning recently received a generous donation from Goemans Appliances in Woodbridge for $10,000. Another Thornhill high school received a donation of $6,000 from a parent to directly support its hot breakfast program. 

This kind of financial support makes these nutrition programs sustainable for the children who need a nutritious meal most. Funds that are donated to Food For Learning go directly to universal school nutrition programs and are used to buy food and/or kitchen equipment. Donations are also eligible for a tax receipts. 

Food For Learning needs the community’s support. Your donation will help hungry children in your community.

For more information, visit FoodForLearning.ca or contact Jason Dasti, student nutrition program coordinator at 905-259-5296 or jasondasti1@gmail.com