Nutrition programs in northeastern Ontario schools won't be cut short this year

Social service groups in northeastern Ontario say they'll be able to keep school nutrition programs going until the end of the year, instead of running out early, thanks to additional federal funding.

Ottawa announced last November it had reached a deal to provide Ontario with $108 million to supplement and grow provincial food programs that nourish children who might otherwise go without.

In the Sudbury and Manitoulin region, that means an additional $424,000 to spend before the end of June.

Angèle Young is the regional manager at Better Beginnings, Better Futures, which oversees school nutrition programs.

She said the additional money is half again what their original budget is this year.

Young said it's a huge help given that more students have been enrolling in the program while funding from the province has stayed the same since 2017.

"We've been stretching the dollars," said Young. "Schools may have been limiting foods this year. Some were at risk of early closure. These new funds will help increase the amount of foods available to the tables, bring on more students, and ensure that schools can last until the end of the school year."

As an example, Young said, a breakfast program that had to cut apples in half or only offered half a cup of cereal may now be able to offer more food.

She also said some snack programs may be able to expand to meal programs by adding a protein.

For the Sault Ste. Marie district, the funding will accomplish similar things for the four school boards in that area.

Food tied to student learning

Brenda Clarke is with Algoma Family Services, which will be able to give out $325,000 in additional funds thanks to the federal contribution.

That means, for example, a child might now get a whole banana instead of half and more students may have access to programs right though to the end of the school  year.

Clarke also said they're trying to get away from individually packaged items that were brought in during the pandemic and return to fresh food options, even though they are more expensive than they used to be.

She said good food has a positive impact on students' behaviour.

She recalled one principal, who, when a child would be sent to the office mid-morning with a disciplinary issue, would ask someone to get the child something to eat first.

"Oftentimes that was the thing that turned that corner for that child," she said. "You know, food is very important, very important to the ability of students to be able to pay attention and to be able to learn and think properly in class." 

She added it contributes to the mental health of young people, and helps them stay calm and in control.

Both Clarke and Young said the funds will also be used to add dishwashers, refrigerators and stoves in schools that provide nutrition programs, expenses that have so far been ineligible under government funding.