School Nutrition & Food Literacy
qathet School District believes that healthy school food environments help students attain their full potential and that all members of the school community have a role to play in supporting these healthy environments. We are committed to supporting the maintenance of high standards of food literacy and access to healthy foods in all schools.
The focus of our efforts around nutrition and food literacy is two-fold: Education and Provision.
Education
The district initiated its Food Literacy Program in 2019 with the goal to deliver hands-on, seed-to-plate learning for elementary school students in the region. We help students to develop skills and knowledge they need to make healthy food choices by providing a range of hands-on, garden-based education and cooking programs across all qathet School District elementary schools. We also provide lesson plans and other resources to schools, to support them in using their food gardens and kitchens as sites for experiential learning. For more information, visit here.
Provision
Every school within qathet School District currently offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, and supplemental food programs for children who require it. All students, regardless of their social and economic background, have a right to access nutritious food in a dignified and equitable manner.
Feeding Futures
qathet School District is committed to enhancing and expanding its food programs throughout all of its schools and is supported by the funding provided by the Province to help launch it into action. “The Feeding Futures program will address the immediate need of feeding students and builds on the progress made with the Student and Family Affordability Fund to help reduce the challenges of rising food costs for families who need it most”. The program funded by the ministry primarily supports the well-being of all students so that they're ready and prepared to learn, but also provides opportunities for the school district to strengthen collaboration models with community partners and local food systems.
Together with the Ministry of Education and Child Care, and guided by First Peoples Principles, we are committed to enhancing and expanding our programs and approach over the short-term and long-term.
This work will be aligned to our strategic district priorities of prioritizing climate change, organizational health, and sustainability; and ensuring early learners and students have the best possible learning experience. Through both an education and provision lens, programs will come to life in order to help us achieve our vision of:
For more information on our commitment to a healthy school food environment, please also see our Administrative Procedure 164.
For resources on Food Access, Healthy Recipes, and Nutrition Tips, please visit our Food & Nutrition Resources page.
Contact Information
Raun Rainbow, District Principal of Early Learning, Childcare, and Food Security:
Vanessa Sparrow, District Food Literacy Coordinator: