Peterborough City and County Celebrates 30 Years of Nourishing Students Through Food for Kids Program

St. John’s Catholic Elementary School staff and students and a number of local school boards celebrated 30 years of Student Nutrition Programs in Peterborough City and County.

photo by felicia massey.

Whether it’s rushed mornings, long bus rides or not having access to food at home, some students arrive at school hungry. It is through non-profit organizations and community partnerships that students at 51 local elementary and high schools are able to start the school day with a nutritious meal.

Thirty years ago in 1992-93, a local service club approached two local schools in downtown Peterborough with the hopes of starting a breakfast program under the guidance of Peterborough Public Health’s nutrition and community development expertise.

The name ‘Food for Kids’ was chosen for the program after the number of participating schools grew to 12 in 1997. While continuing to advocate for and support a healthy, vital student nutrition program, the Food for Kids steering committee grew to include community members from various organizations/sectors outside the local school boards. Now, 96 per cent of local, publicly funded schools offer nutrition programs.

“The morning meal at our school is so much more than nourishing food. It’s a valuable part of school life,” says St. John’s principal Jennifer Wright. “It’s a warm, inviting, social part of the school day, where positive relationships and a sense of belonging are nurtured.”

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Volunteers through the Food for Kids programs provide meals which include fresh produce, protein foods and whole grains in a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Locally, these program models vary between a grab and go system (food is set out in a central location on a table/cart for students to grab on their way to class), sit and serve (food is prepared and served in a room where students can sit and eat together) and a bin in the classroom (food is packed ahead of time and delivered to each classroom).

According to a Peterborough and County Student Nutrition Program annual report from 2021-22, these programs include 603 staff and volunteers who contribute 890 volunteer hours a week to ensuring approximately 19,000 students get a proper meal before school. These volunteers prepare and serve the meals, as well as wash dishes and shop for groceries.

Those interested in volunteering or donating can contact a local school or visit the Food for Kids website.

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Schools To Be Served Healthy Food Through Student Nutrition Programs

Over 50 student nutrition programs will be run in schools supported by Food for Kids Peterborough and County announced on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

Choices include whole fruit, sliced vegetables, whole grain muffins and packaged cheese. Nutrition programs are an important part of academic and personal success according to Luisa Magalhaes, Peterborough Public Health dietitian.

“Nourished students learn and behave better”, she explains. “Water and a variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein foods help keep us healthy. This is even more important during a pandemic.”

Growing evidence shows connections between healthy eating and positive mental health Magalhaes adds.

Last school year, Food for Kids worked with community partners to help feed hungry students. School food boxes with local produce and cheese fed at-school learners.

Vulnerable families of school-age children received food baskets for at-home learners, grocery gift cards and fresh produce boxes.

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