As student’s across the country head back to school, communities are asking for federal leadership to develop a comprehensive pan-Canadian child and youth nutrition strategy and to fully fund on-reserve aboriginal student meals. Despite the remarkable work of non-profit groups, it is estimated that only 10-15 percent of our children have access to school meals. These meals are not provided by a well-funded, pan-Canadian program, but instead, by a patchwork of corporate donations, some provincial funding, and volunteer efforts. In Guelph, Wellington, and Dufferin, over 13,000 students were served by the Children’s Foundation Food and Friends student nutrition program in 2011-2012, providing snacks, breakfast and lunch at over 80 programs.

Please take a moment to read the following letter to local MP’s, signed by the Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, The Children’s Foundation of Guelph & Wellington, and the Food Access Working Group of the Guelph-Wellington Food Round Table: Urgent Need for a Pan-Canadian Nutrition Program.

If you are interested in learning more about Food & Friend’s student nutrition program, available in Guelph, Wellington & Dufferin, please visit their website HERE.