School Food Programs in Sea to Sky School District
School food programs play a key role in nourishing students. This helps students achieve better learning outcomes and enhances connection with their school, peers, and community.
Canadian research shows that school food programs have many positive impacts including:
- Increasing the intake of nutritious food.
- Promoting health equity.
- Building lifelong healthy eating behaviours and food literacy skills.
- Increasing school attendance, completion, and academic success.
- Strengthening sustainable food systems and creating opportunities for local farmers and economies.
- Promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
- Building connections and community by sharing diverse foods and eating together.
Regional partnerships make a difference:
- Squamish Climate Action Network: Squamish CAN is providing daily meals to students in Squamish, including a lunch program and breakfast supplies, ensuring students have access to nourishing meals in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- To donate, visit: https://sd48seatosky.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/1682/211/false/true
- Select School “School District No. 48”, Initiative: “Squamish School Meal Program”
- Read the media release here: https://www.squamishcan.net/_files/ugd/f4df28_e4b530f59bec4fcfa85b7282e6e37f3b.pdf
- Whistler Community Services Society: In Whistler, WCSS collaborates with Whistler Secondary, Spring Creek Elementary, and Myrtle Philip Elementary schools to stock low-barrier community fridges with nutritious lunches and snacks.
- For more information about the program, please visit:https://mywcss.org/food-security/breakfast-club/ or contact [email protected]
- To donate: https://mywcss.org/fundraiser/
- A variety of partners ensure that students receive breakfast, lunch and snacks at Signal Hill Elementary and Pemberton Secondary School.
- To donate, visit: https://sd48seatosky.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/1682/211/false/true
- Select School “School District No. 48”, Initiative: “Pemberton School Meal Program”
How can my student access the school meal program?
Enrolment varies between schools. Please reach out to your school clerical to learn more. All of our programs operate on the principle that everyone is welcome, and no student will be turned away due to financial reasons. Enrollment helps us plan and order food effectively to meet student needs.
While provincial funding provides crucial support, community contributions– whether monetary or volunteer time – are essential to bridging the gap and keeping the program running sustainably.
Our programs thrive through community support. Here's how you can help:
- Volunteer: Shifts are flexible. Contact us to learn more about delivering and preparing food.
- Donate: Contributions directly fund meals for students. Just $1,200 feeds a student for an entire school year. Tax receipts are available.
- Spread Awareness: Share the program's mission to raise awareness and inspire others to get involved.
For any QUESTIONS or to VOLUNTEER, contact Meryn Corkery, School Food Coordinator, at [email protected]
Additional Links:
Learn more about Feeding Futures and the benefits of school meal programs
Feeding the future today: Canada’s National School Food Program
Teach Food First: An Educators’ Toolkit for Teaching Canada’s Food Guide
