Many groups involved in promoting school food in Ontario are members of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, a group of organizations seeking federal investment in a Universal Healthy School Food Program to support the health, well-being and education of all Canadian children. 

 

Along with practitioners who support snack, breakfast and lunch programs, Ontario Coalition members include national and provincial health, education, and indigenous organizations. Many national organizations also work on school food in Ontario.

 

Though many schools in Ontario now have a mid-morning snack, breakfast or lunch program, Coalition members believe that Canada needs: national standards to ensure strong programs that promote health; significant investment from the federal government to supplement the contributions of the Ontario provincial government, some cities, parents, school communities, businesses and volunteers; and collaboration between stakeholder groups to create a universal program for all children and youth from K to 12.

 

Ontario groups involved in the Coalition for Healthy School Food are encouraging stakeholders from diverse regions and sectors across Ontario to engage in dialogue, share resources, and collaborate on collective advocacy, research and pilot projects. We encourage non-profit groups involved in school food who are not yet members to join the Coalition for Healthy School Food and participate in our #NourishKidsNow Campaign which advocates for a National School Food program, as well as increased funding from provinces, territories and Cities. Together, we can help secure a brighter future for our children through a universal healthy school food program.

 

For more information, contact Sarah Keyes, Ontario Chapter Coordinator of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, hosted by Sustain Ontario, sarah@sustainontario.ca, 613-929-6145