30 Years of Nourishing Students at School
Written by Comms Team, February 2, 2023
This morning, Food for Kids Peterborough and County, along with local school boards and St. John’s Catholic elementary students and staff, recognized 30 years of Student Nutrition Programs (SNP) in our community. Once home to Confederation Public School, St. John’s continues to host a vibrant sit-down breakfast before the bell, feeding 290 students a day.
“The morning meal at our school is so much more than nourishing food. It’s a valuable part of school life,” says Jennifer Wright, Principal at St. John’s Catholic school. “It’s a warm, inviting, social part of the school day, where positive relationships and a sense of belonging are nurtured.”
“For three decades, our amazing network has donated time, space, funding and equipment to feed hungry students,” says Stephanie Young, Chair of Food for Kids. “Thank-you to schools, their boards, students, volunteers, parents, educators, community members, businesses, organizations, faith groups and service clubs. Your decades long dedication has helped hundreds of thousands of students start the school day well-nourished and ready to learn.”
Thirty years ago, a local service club approached two schools in downtown Peterborough with the idea of starting a breakfast club. Along with the support of district school boards Kawartha Pine Ridge and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic, the health unit came on board with nutrition and community development resources.
“It was a pivotal moment for child nutrition in our community,” says Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health. “These first partners knew that a nourishing morning meal made a difference to students’ learning and well-being.”
Today, 51 of the publicly funded local schools offer universal access to nourishing food. These programs, run by hundreds of volunteers and school staff, fed almost 19,000 students last year. Where programs exist, teachers report better behaviour, less missed school, and improved academic scores.
“For 30 years, volunteer school staff and community members have contributed to make these nutrition programs happen. They shop, bake, chop, serve, clean, fundraise, menu plan and recruit volunteers,” says Angela Fuchs, Community Development Coordinator. “These volunteers are the energy, the helping hands, and the cheerful smiles that welcome our children and youth each day.”
Food for Kids thanked the many local organizations, sponsors and food suppliers who have supported local student nutrition programs along the way. Long-standing contributors include the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, United Way of Peterborough and Kawartha Food Share.
To volunteer with a program, contact your local school. Want to donate? Visit www.FoodforKidsPtbo.ca.
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Gill
Communications Team
705-743-1000, ext. 352