Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Student Nutrition Programs so important?
Children who have not eaten have difficulty concentrating in school. Hungry children are easily distracted, lethargic, and as a result, often cause disruptions in class. Teachers consistently note that Student Nutrition Programs improve students' ability to pay attention, concentrate on their lessons, exhibit good behaviour, and attend classes more often.

Are only children from low-income families allowed to participate?
No. All children are welcome at our table, no questions asked. Hungry children are not necessarily poor children -- the problem of coming to school hungry crosses all socio-economic groups. Our goal is to ensure that all children attend school well nourished and ready to learn.

What kind of food is served?
Depending on the type of meal and time of day, the menu varies. A breakfast might include apples, bananas, 100% juice, cereal, toast, bagels, pancakes, muffins, cheese slices, milk and yogurt. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Who is involved?
Programs are run by volunteers - including parents, school staff, members of local service organizations and the business community. Each location has a program leader and team, to share the responsibility for scheduling, setting menus, and maintaining the overall day to day details. In addition, sites often receive support from businesses and/or community groups who sponsor programs and donate products to off-set costs.

How many Student Nutrition Programs are there in Peel Region and how many children attend?
There are close to 150 active nutrition programs operating in the Peel Region, serving 7,500 children and youth.

What is the cost per child of breakfast/snack/lunch?
The cost of providing a nutritious breakfast to one child, five days a week throughout the school year, is $1.10/day. The cost of a daily snack (fresh fruit, milk, whole wheat crackers) is about $.85/day. For lunch, it is approximately $2. These calculations do not take into account in-kind donations of food and supplies, which reduce the cost considerably.

How are Student Nutrition Programs funded?
The provincial Ministry of Children and Youth Services supports local nutrition programs with money to purchase some of the food and other required essentials, while local businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals contribute financial support as well as in-kind donations and volunteer time to plan, support and deliver breakfast, lunch and snack programs.