SNO-Viviane

Join Sustain Ontario and Student Nutrition Ontario on Tuesday June 1^st from 1:00-2:30 pm EST for a knowledge exchange session “Nourishing students: How Ontario SNPs are adapting in a time of COVID”.

This 90-minute webinar will focus on how Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) in Ontario are navigating our current COVID reality to meet the nutrition needs of students.

The following speakers will share their experiences:

• Daniel Hobbs, Student Nutrition Program, Thunder Bay and District: How to reach/identify your virtual learner
• Gerard Capelland, Student Nutrition Program, Toronto: Nutrition Pantry
• Jillian McCallum, VON-OSNP Southwest: School Food Delivery Program
• Angela Fuchs, Student Nutrition Program, Central East Region: Feeding Youth and Families Together – Community Innovations During COVID

After hearing from our speakers, participants will separate into breakout groups to discuss with each other their own challenges or questions including higher costs, limits on volunteers, distributing to at-home learners, ensuring cultural diversity, local sourcing, and food and packaging waste.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpcu6rpzgiEt3ks4OKq2kvAuJqp6U6WANt   

Please reach out if you have any questions:
Carolyn Webb, Sustain Ontario: cwebb@sustainontario.ca
Viviane Degagne, Student Nutrition Ontario: Viviane.Degagne@tfss.ca

A great big thank you to Pizza Nova! The funds raised through their Coins for Breakfast Program will help nourish children right across Ontario.

 

Families are facing challenges due to the impact of COVID-19. Many parents are out of work and as families face increased financial strain, keeping food on the table is difficult. At the same time, the cost of food has risen, and will continue to rise*, as the economy begins to recover, putting even more stress on struggling families and their children.

Whether learning in-school or at home, access to nourishing food is crucial for children. 

*For more information on rising food costs, click here:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/02/17/food-prices-set-to-rise-as-economy-recovers-from-covid-experts-say.html

A new StatCan report has shown that COVID-19 has increased rates of food insecurity in Canada, which is impacting mental health. Up to 40% of Canadians experiencing food insecurity struggle with mental health challenges. Through Student Nutrition Programs, we are working to support students’ mental health by ensuring they have access to nourishing food, no matter what. 

To read more about the results of the StanCan report, and the impact of food insecurity on mental health, click here: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/12/17/news/covid-19-canadians-food-security-mental-health-statcan

This year has been challenging for children and their families. Many parents have lost their jobs due to the impact of COVID-19 and budgets are strained; this at a time when food costs are rising. Next year, a family of four will need to spend $695 more than this year, just to keep food on the table*. Student Nutrition Programs help children access the nourishing food they need to thrive.

 *For more information on the Canada Food Price Report, click here: 
https://www.cp24.com/news/canadians-to-pay-up-to-695-more-per-year-for-groceries-in-2021-report-says-1.5221442

Read the full article here.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, nutrition programs have made many changes in order to keep feeding students.

To read the full article, click here.

On Friday October 9th, representatives from Egg Farmers of Ontario were at Brechin Public School to present a cheque for $75,000 to Student Nutrition Ontario. It’s part of the farmers’ three-year, $225,000 commitment to the organization.

Read the full article here.