Support Available for Student Nutrition Programs

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Student nutrition programs in the City of Toronto are supported by Student Nutrition Ontario – Toronto (SNO-Toronto), a collaborative community advisory partnership that works together to support Student Nutrition Programs. SNO-Toronto consists of:

  • Toronto Public Health
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board
  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success
  • The Angel Foundation for Learning

Learn more about student nutrition programs and the different ways Student Nutrition Ontario – Toronto can help support them below.

Staff members from Student Nutrition Ontario – Toronto are available to provide support to student nutrition programs in the following ways:

  • Food safety questions should be sent to dinesafe@toronto.ca
  • Nutrition/menu planning questions should be sent to snp@toronto.ca.
  • Support with training and volunteer recruitment is available from school board staff.
  • Support with monitoring and submitting monthly financial reports is available by the agent which will flow funds to the funded site.

Toronto District School Board Sites

For support in completing the Funding Application Form, questions about whether your program meets all funding criteria and support in establishing a local program committee, please contact:

For questions about financial accountability and liability and what your site is currently funded for, please contact:

Toronto Catholic District School Board Sites

For support in completing the Funding Application Form, questions about whether your program meets all funding criteria and support in establishing a local program committee, please contact:

For questions about financial accountability and liability and what your site is currently funded for, please contact:

Conseil scolaire Viamonde (CSV), Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (CSCMA)

For support in completing Funding Application Form, questions about whether your program meets all funding criteria and support in establishing a local program committee, questions about financial accountability and liability and what your site is currently funded for, please contact:

For questions about financial accountability and liability and what your site is currently funded for, please contact:

Independent Schools & Community Sites

For support in completing the Funding Application Form, questions about whether your program meets all funding criteria and support in establishing a local program committee, please contact:

For questions about financial accountability and liability and what your site is currently funded for, please contact:

All Sites

For questions about the Funding Application Form deadlines and the review process, please contact:

Each student nutrition program is unique and a reflection of its community. Programs are operated in schools and community sites by volunteers, parents and students. Student nutrition programs differ in:

  • Program Type (e.g., breakfast, morning meal, snack, lunch/dinner)
  • Budget
  • Number of days per week
  • Delivery (e.g., on-site preparation, catered, bin, buffet)
  • Equipment and facilities
  • Location (e.g., school or community agency)

 

Principal’s role

As with all programs in schools, the principal or their designate, assists in the successful implementation of the student nutrition program by:

  • Providing safe, secure, and clean space.
  • Participating in the development of an active and representative local nutrition committee and advocating for the integration of student nutrition into the life of the school.
  • Ensuring that a separate bank account is available for the program, monthly fiscal responsibility, a volunteer nutrition program coordinator is in place.
  • Along with the Student Nutrition Program Committee, ensuring that application deadlines and program criteria are met.

Volunteers
Student nutrition programs are community based programs run by volunteers. Volunteers are an important part of making your program a success. Recruit volunteers from your local school community, including parents, students, community members and staff. Parents and students can contribute to the program in a variety of ways, including financial contributions, food ordering/shopping, food preparation, fundraising, planning, preparing financial reports, program committee, special events, etc.

Time
The amount of time required to run a student nutrition program is dependent on the number of program participants and the amount of food preparation taking place on site. Programs that are more comprehensive will require a greater time commitment.

Food purchase and preparation
The organization receiving funding is responsible for planning, buying, preparing and serving nutritious food at their student nutrition program. Typically, the student nutrition program coordinator and volunteers plan the menu and purchase the food from a preferred vendor. Food can be purchased from local grocery stores that deliver, food distributors, or catered from an inspected facility. In secondary schools, youth participation in implementing the programs will be an important resource.

For more information on operating a student nutrition program visit the Student Nutrition Ontario – Toronto website.