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Student nutrition programs in the City of Toronto are supported by Student Nutrition Ontario – Toronto, a partnership consisting 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/COVID 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:

  • Toronto District School Board: Susithra Venkatesh (Susithra.Venkatesh@tdsb.on.ca), 416-394-7447
  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: David Cross, (David.Cross@tfss.ca), 416-797-1013

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

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: Rosalie Grapilon, (rosalie.grapilon@tfss.ca), 416-394-7164

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:

  • Toronto Catholic District School Board: David Letra, (david.letra@tcdsb.org), 416-222-8282 ext 2687

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

  • The Angel Foundation for Learning: Iris Martinez (iris.martinez@tcdsb.org), 416-222-8282 ext. 2844

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:

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: David Cross, (david.cross@tfss.ca), 416-797-1013

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

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: Rosalie Grapilon, (rosalie.grapilon@tfss.ca), 416-394-7164

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:

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: David Cross, (david.cross@tfss.ca), 416-797-1013

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

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success: Rosalie Grapilon, (rosalie.grapilon@tfss.ca), 416-394-7164

All Sites

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

  • Toronto Public Health: Denise Vavaroutsos, snp@toronto.ca

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 snack, morning meal)
  • 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)

Program types

Meals

Breakfast Program – is served before school starts and includes at least:

  • One vegetable or fruit, plus
  • One protein food, plus
  • One whole grain food

Morning Meal – is served in the morning after school starts and includes at least:

  • One vegetable or fruit, plus
  • One protein food, plus
  • One whole grain food

Lunch/Dinner 

  • One vegetable or fruit, plus
  • One protein food, plus
  • One whole grain food

Example of Breakfast, Morning Meal, Lunch or Dinner:

  • Cucumber slices (Vegetables and Fruits)
  • Cheese slices (Protein Foods)
  • Whole wheat bread (Whole Grain Foods)

Snacks

Morning or Afternoon Snack – includes at least:

  • One vegetable or fruit, plus
  • One protein food or one whole grain food

Example of a Snack:

  • Banana (Vegetables and Fruits)
  • Milk (Protein Foods)

Principal’s role
As with all programs in schools, the principal or his/her designate, assist in the successful implementation of the student nutrition program by providing safe, secure and clean space and assigning responsibilities around program liaison.  Participation 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 are important roles for the principal and the leaders in the school. In addition, the principal ensures that a separate bank account is available for the program, ensures monthly fiscal responsibility, a volunteer nutrition program coordinator is in place and, with the Student Nutrition Program Committee, ensures 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.