The Ministry of Education and Child Care has allocated $71.5 million per year in dedicated, multi-year funding to school districts to enhance food security for students by expanding or establishing school food programs. This funding is part of the government’s Feeding Futures School Food Programs Framework, aimed at ensuring students are adequately nourished for learning, leading to improved academic and healthy outcomes. Feeding Futures School Food Programs (FFSFP) funding addresses the top two barriers identified by schools in the province, which are sustainable and consistent food funding and human resources for food preparation and delivery to students.
The Feeding Futures program will immediately address the need for student nutrition and complements the progress made with the Student and Family Affordability Fund, which helps alleviate the challenges of increasing food costs for families in need. It is expected that this funding benefit 20% of students facing food insecurity across the province.
What does this mean for North Okanagan-Shuswap SD83 Students and Families?
In SD83, Serena Caner, a registered dietician, serves as the Feeding Futures Program Coordinator, overseeing breakfast and “top up” snack programs that are available free of charge for students in the District. These programs offer nutritious options such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins, with a focus on purchasing local and BC-grown foods whenever possible.
The District encourages community-building through school-wide meals, ranging from pancake breakfasts to turkey dinners. “I’m a big believer that food builds community,” shared Caner.
In an effort to increase access and affordability of fresh produce while also supporting local farmers, SD83 introduced a pilot project called SD83 Farmers’ Boxes. Families have the option to pre-pay and order these boxes online, using a $20 promo code discount. The boxes are delivered monthly to schools for families to conveniently pick up.
To further support these initiatives, Caner has established the Shuswap Food Working Group, which consists of parents who have firsthand experience with food security issues. She commented, “The idea is to hear from people who have lived experience.”
Feeding Futures in Action in Our Schools
Bee Hive Opens at South Canoe
South Canoe School celebrated the grand opening of their newly renovated “Bee Hive” kitchen on June 14. This project has been many years in the making, beginning with a BCAA grant application first made in 2018 when the school was re-opened.
The Bee Hive is a multipurpose space which functions as a classroom and shared kitchen space for the breakfast program, hot lunches, and a learning space for cooking, baking, dehydrating, and other exciting projects.
The renovation includes a new deep double sink, cabinets, dishwasher, double stove, a student hand-washing station and, hopefully one day soon, a rolling kitchen island. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of many individuals.
Feeding Futures Long Table Celebration and Feedback Dinner
On the evening of June 13, 2024, the Feeding Futures Long Table Celebration and Feedback Dinner brought together school district and community members in a special event to celebrate and build upon the collaborative success of our school meal programs this year.
The lovely evening was graciously hosted by Salmon Arm West parent and meal program volunteer Carmen Jeffries on her family’s beautiful multigenerational farm. This collaborative effort, involving SD83, Shuswap Food Action Society, Shuswap Community Foundation, and Rise Up Indigenous Wellness. Switchcraft catering brought everyone together with their delicious food and Knowledge Keeper Kenthen Thomas opened the dinner in a good way with a Secwepemc story about bringing community together.
Pancake Breakfast at Armstrong Elementary
Armstrong Elementary was a sea of excitement as staff and students enjoyed a school-wide pancake breakfast supported by the Feeding Futures program on Friday, March 15, 2024.
Grade 4 and 5 leadership students and many wonderful parent helpers cooked up pancakes to feed over 300 people. It was a great experience for the leadership students as they were “hired” into positions as cooks, servers, cleanup and operations staff. The student cooks did the cooking of the pancakes, starting at 7:10 a.m. under the watchful eye of parent helpers. Two classes at a time came into the gym and were seated at the tables by the student operations helpers, and then served pancakes by the student serving staff. Pancakes were topped with syrup and fruit.
Silver Creek Cookie Making!
Silver Creek Grade 6-8 students are busy learning through a “hands and minds-on” model. A variety of studies during the Explorations rotations address creative applied design and skills development. Students participated in a holiday baking session at the ZEST kitchen in Salmon Arm.
Christmas Dinner at Storefront
A Christmas dinner party for the students at Salmon Arm Storefront was held on December 19th, just before the holiday break. Students were treated to turkey, ham and all the fixings to go with it! Every student that attended that last week of school was also given a small gift, with staff trying to make the time as special as they could.
Pancake Lunch at Salmon Arm West!
Conversations and laughter filled the Salmon Arm West gym as all of the students and staff were treated to a pancake lunch on Tuesday, December 5.
“It was a special day as the entire school gathered as one in the gym for the pancake lunch. We are so grateful for our PAC and volunteers at Salmon Arm West. They truly value community and sense of belonging for all,” said Principal Laura Jegues.
Turkey Dinner with the Trimmings at A.L. Fortune
Anyone want to peel 150 pounds of potatoes and cook 10 very large turkeys?
A popular event at A.L. Fortune Secondary (ALF) occurred on Thursday, November 30, 2023, as both students and staff enjoyed a buffet-style turkey dinner complete with all the fixings. The commons area of the school was transformed into a dining space for the occasion, serving 370 students and 50 staff members!
Build a Meal at Eagle River!
Once a week students at Eagle River Secondary have an opportunity to learn new cooking skills, make a lunch and eat it too! In a new Feeding Futures Lunch Club piloted by staff members, Tricia Jeffery and Jodie Osmundson, students can sign up to cook the lunch of the day! Up first on the menu, on Nov. 21, was make-your-own-omelettes! Staff created a meal plan, offering to teach a different meal each Tuesday of the month.
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Ranchero Thrilled with Renovated Foods and Activity Room
The transformation of an old computer lab/storage room into Ranchero Elementary’s brand new foods and activity room includes numerous cupboards, ample counter space, two stoves, a dishwasher and a washer and dryer, offering ample storage and functionality.
“The room is spectacular,” comments Ranchero Principal Corrinne Langston. The work to transform the old computer lab into this new space began during winter and was completed by Spring Break. “Our SD83 Operations team did all the the work including plumbing, electrical, framing, drywalling, flooring, painting, and cabinetry,” she adds. “We are just thrilled with it.”
