Feeding Futures
"Through Budget 2023, the Province is investing $214 million over three years so school districts can create or expand local food programs in schools throughout B.C. The funds will be used for purchasing food and hiring dedicated staff to co-ordinate providing meals and snacks to students. This is the largest investment in school food programs in the Province’s history"
Link: School food programs get historic investment to help feed kids | BC Gov News
Nutrition Guidelines for Schools
Food and Beverage Sales in B.C Schools
The Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools define the minimum nutrition standards that schools are required to use to determine what food and beverages can be sold to students. This document contains information, tools and fact sheets to support implementation of the Guidelines across the school setting.
School Meal and School Nutrition Program Handbook
This School Meal and Nutrition Program Handbook supports school meal coordinators, school administrators, caterers, and others who are involved in providing healthy food and beverages to vulnerable students. The handbook is based on the 2010 edition of the Guidelines but provides useful information on healthy eating, meal planning, fundraising, and program planning and evaluation.
Food Safe Certification
Those involved in the preparation of food for students in schools need to be food safe Level-1 certified. Please find below a link to an online food safe course.
Link: Food Safety Training | Online Food Handler Courses Available | CIFS
If You Need Support:
If you and your child are in need of support, please reach out to the Principal at your child's school to learn about a variety of programs and resources that are available, such as no-fee meal programs during the school day. Student and family confidentiality will be strictly maintained by the principal.
Indigenous Food Programming and Supports
School district 8 is committed to providing and fostering inclusive food programming that is representative of the cultures, values, and priorities surrounding food in the district, including those of the indigenous communities whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake School District operates and all of the aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District #8. Below are some resources that are sent to schools which contain staple items and recipes, traditional food procurement methods, education surrounding de-colonizing food systems, and more.
The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Healthy Eating on a Budget Cookbook For Diabetes & Diabetes Prevention
Healthy Eating on a Budget Cookbook For Diabetes & Diabetes Prevention
Grants
Breakfast Club of Canada
Link: https://www.breakfastclubcanada.org/apply-for-support/
They accept applications year-round from schools, School Boards/Districts, community organizations, and Band Councils seeking support for breakfast programs offered to school-aged children and youth during the school year.
The Vancouver Sun Children's Fund - Adopt-A-School Program
Link: https://vansunkidsfund.ca/apply-for-help/
If your schools is in need of support for food, clothing, and/or learning tools, this program is designed to provide funds and other basic necessities for children in need and they accept applications from school and school boards throughout B.C
Show Kids You Care
Link: https://skyc.ca/apply-for-funding/
Show kids you care helps fund the cost of food and equipment needed to store and serve meals. They also work to educate the public about child hunger issues and the need for a national meal program.
TD Friends of the Environment Grant - New projects yet to be developed
Link https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/funding/fef-grant
Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming, citizen science initiatives, etc.
Farm to School Grant
Link: https://farmtoschoolbc.ca/grants/3k/
Schools may apply for a maximum of $3,000 to invest in your Farm to School BC project. The amount granted will be dependent on the scope of your proposed program.
A total of 30 grants will be distributed this year across the province with a priority of 50% of all funding dedicated to supporting rural/remote and First Nations schools.
Nutritious Eating Resources for Families
Tips and Recipes for Quantity Cooking: Nourishing Minds and Bodies
Family Fun with Food!
Sample Activities for Families to engage with food and nutrition
- Veggie Building
- What a better way to get kids excited about healthy snacking then with a fun fruit and vegetable building activity?
- Cut up some fruit, vegetables, and cheeses into smaller bite sized pieces (e.g., apples, grapes, cherry tomatoes, cubed cheese, etc.)
- Try incorporating new items, like broccoli or cauliflower in order to pique curiosity
- Buy round toothpicks and build structures together with the various items available, and talk about the shape, texture, taste, color, and so forth.
- Learn about the various parts of fruit
- Get some fruit like clementine's, plums, apples, etc.
- Cut the fruit open and put it on a tray and encourage your child to talk about what they saw, felt, or even smelled.
- Some items will be smooth on the outside, but have a tough core on the inside. Some will be juicy and sweet, others will be callus and tough with strong tangy smell and odor.
- Discuss the various part of the fruit such as
- The exocarp - the outer layer of the fruit
- The mesocarp - the inner fleshy part of the fruit
- The seed and core
- Leaf, blossom, etc.
- Garden Vegetable Printing
- Using fruits and vegetables for art can have great influence on eating them as you will see. Dont shy away from playing with food, especially if you have a picky eater. Tip: buy imperfect items from the store, harvest fresh from the garden, or use veggies that are almost on their way out and not being used.
- 1. Gather your materials: a few veggies and/or fruits, paper, paint, paper towel, scissors, and a dish or two.
- 2. Start by pouring paint into the dish
- 3. Add the cut veggies and fruit and start stamping them onto the paper!
- 4. Save some un-touched items for a snack after and talk about the colors, taste, texture, and smell
- Using fruits and vegetables for art can have great influence on eating them as you will see. Dont shy away from playing with food, especially if you have a picky eater. Tip: buy imperfect items from the store, harvest fresh from the garden, or use veggies that are almost on their way out and not being used.
- Colouring pages!
Try a family food adventure!
Food is a fun way to connect as a family.
- Activities outside the home:
- Go fishing and catch your own food
- Take a trip to the farmers market and discuss the different kinds of fruits and vegetables you see, identify their colour, shape, and smell. Tip: Find a recipe online or from a cookbook beforehand and purchase a fresh item from the market to include.
- Take a trip to a local farm or apple orchard and talk about all of the varieties available in your region
- Take a trip to a new grocery store, such as KTK Masala shop, and talk about all of the diverse and delicious spices or items that are available from other countries.
- Activities within the home:
- Watch a cooking show together
- Growing your own fresh herbs or vegetables
- Taking a cooking class together in the community
Canada Food Guide Toolkit for Educators and Families ages 9-11
- These activities are intended for Children aged 9 to 11 years old. They will help them learn:
- To identify different cooking methods
- About foods that are part of different cultures and traditions
- To practice eating thoughtfully and making eating enjoyable
- These activities support children in experiencing and exploring foods which are part of the Canada's Food Guide
- Connecting people in the kitchen, teaching hands-on cooking skills, and making healthy eating, grocery shopping, and cooking easy, quick, and fun.
- Food Skills Sample Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a parent and I need support
If you are a parent, please contact your child's school Principal in order to learn about the various supports and resources available to you and your child, such as no-fee meals and snacks during the school day. Parent and student confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
What is the purpose of the new school food programs funding?
The funding is to make sure that students are fed and ready to learn by expanding existing school food programs. Emphasis is on providing a meal during the school day, such as breakfast or lunch, and providing supplementary snacks.
Who qualifies for this funding?
The 60 public school districts in B.C. The funding is expected to reach the 20% of the students who are facing food insecurity across the province.
Have schools received more funding than in previous years?
Yes, schools have received more funding than in previous years from Feeding Futures
How do we start building a school food program in our district/school?
Please visit www.gov.bc.ca/bcschoolfood which contains information on how to start and/or expand a school food program. Please connect with your school principal to work together on creating a plan.
Can we work with non-profit organizations or current community partners?
Yes, community inclusion is essential for a long-term model of feeding students; non-profit organizations, corporate donors, and parent advisory councils will continue to play a vital role alongside schools to deliver school food programs.
Where can I find resources regarding healthy food?
The following documents help guide nutrition within schools and can be used within the home as well to create healthy and balanced meals.
- Canada Food Guide
- School Meal and School Nutrition Program Handbook (PDF 7.3 MB)
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools | HealthLink BC
- Healthy Schools BC - Healthy Schools BC is a partnership of organizations working together on healthy school initiatives. The website has a collection of healthy schools information and resources to help support the health and learning of students. The website is available in English and French
- Healthy Eating at School- Healthy Eating at School supports school communities in B.C. to take action on school nutrition policy and practices. It uses a comprehensive school health model to address issues such as healthy fundraising, the school environment, nutrition education, food at school, community partners and school nutrition policy.
- School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy Project - The School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project promotes health in B.C. elementary schools. Find information about community resources, helping students choose activities they enjoy, building confidence and more.
I am a parent, how do I offer support to the school?
If you are a parent wanting to offer support to your child's school food program, please reach out to the school principal to find out about volunteer opportunities.
I help a school with their meal program, how do I get my plan approved?
The school district appreciates all of the hard work that community members and PACs put into helping develop and run the food programs in schools. If you want to get involved, please reach out to the principal at your school for more information.
Where can I find resources for indigenous food practices and recipes?
Below are some documents that are sent to schools to encourage cultural diversity and reconciliation through food programming in schools. These are resources that are available to the public and can be used by families, community organizations, etc.
Healthy Eating on a Budget Cookbook For Diabetes & Diabetes Prevention
Where can I find information about grants and who can help schools apply ?
Grant information is available above and will be updated periodically. Principals, PACs, and those involved in food programming for the schools are able to work with the principal to apply.
What is the BC Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program?
The BC Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program is a program that delivers healthy fruit and vegetable snacks to over 492,000 children in schools across B.C. This includes the +Milk program to some schools of elementary age. The program aims to increase students acceptance of, exposure to, and willingness to try fruits and vegetables as well as their knowledge and awareness of locally grown foods. The program works with local growers and distributors to bring fresh BC products to school. Every school in SD8 is enrolled in this program and will receive 24 weeks of deliveries which has been topped up 25% from previous years.
What is Backpack Buddies?
Backpack Buddies is a program designed to fill backpacks with food items that can be sent home with students on Fridays with food to last them the weekend. If you are interested in obtaining a backpack for a student, please contact your school principal to enrol.
Information about the program can be found here: Backpack Buddies | Feed Children Across BC
What is the difference between a convenience, universal, and food equity food program?
A universal lunch program is one that ensures food is accessible to all students in the school free of charge. A convenience program is one that provides meals that are purchased from restaurants to all students in a school for a fee. A food equity program is one that prioritizes students who are experiencing food insecurity. The District uses Feeding Futures to subsidize convenience food programs for students experiencing food insecurity.
Are districts expected to offer universal food programs to students?
The funding is expected to reach the 20% of the students who are facing food insecurity across the province/district. Building the capacity in each school community to work towards stigma and barrier free access to nutrition food for any student who needs it will take time.
I would like to donate produce to a school. Who do I contact?
Donations of any sorts are greatly appreciated by schools, especially fresh produce. If you would like to donate produce to a school, reach out to kelly.mccafferty@sd8.bc.ca to get a list of schools in your area that would like to receive these donations. Donors can also reach out to school principals directly if there is a specific school you are looking to donate to.
