Healthy Bodies And Healthy Minds For Ontario Kids

 
Healthy Bodies And Healthy Minds For Ontario Kids
 
 
 

December 29, 2010 11:10 AM

McGuinty Government Helps Serve Over 68 Million Nutritious School Meals

This year, approximately 68.4 million nutritious breakfasts, snacks and lunches were served to elementary and secondary students through Ontario's Student Nutrition Program.

The program provides healthy snacks and meals to children so they can be ready to learn and get the most out of their school day.

Funded in part by the Ontario government, the Student Nutrition Program is community-driven and largely run by volunteers, including parents, teachers and local residents.

Long-term benefits of the program include:

  • success at school
  • establishing life-long healthy eating habits
  • reducing health risks related to poverty and obesity
The Student Nutrition Program is part of the poverty reduction strategy and supports the Open Ontario Plan.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • In 2010, approximately 600,000 students got nutritious snacks and meals through the Student Nutrition Program.
  • About 90 per cent of student nutrition programs are delivered in schools, with the remainder in community-based locations.
  • Since 2003, Ontario has quadrupled its investment to $17.9 million for the Student Nutrition Program.
  • Ontario provided an additional $9.4 million in 2008 to provide breakfast and morning meals for students in 1,000 communities with the highest need.

CONTACTS

  • Julia Goloshchuk
    Minister's Office
    416-212-7159
  • Peter Spadoni
    Ministry of Children and Youth Services
    416-325-5156



Ministry of Children and Youth Services
ontario.ca/children


 

"We know that life-long habits form when you are young. Through the Student Nutrition Program, we enable students to make good choices for themselves that will allow them to reach their full potential."

 – Laurel Broten
Minister of Children and Youth Services

"The Student Nutrition Program is a great way to help create healthy schools and get the whole community involved. The program promotes healthy eating choices that are essential for student achievement and the foundation for the overall healthy development of children."

 – Chris Markham
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association

 
 
 
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