United Way Waterloo Region Communities’ Post

September is #HungerActionMonth. Providing every child with access to a nutritious lunch is not just a matter of policy – it’s a moral imperative. We must advocate for robust funding and support for school meal programs, ensuring they can continue to provide healthy, appealing, and culturally appropriate meals to all children. Investing in school lunches is investing in our future. It’s a commitment to the well-being and potential of every child and a commitment to our collective future. It’s about recognizing that no child should have to learn on an empty stomach and that the path to a brighter, more equitable future starts with a simple, nourishing meal. Read more about the vital role school lunches play in strengthening our future: https://lnkd.in/eRvERncv

The federal government’s recent announcement of a $1 billion national school food program marks a significant improvement towards meeting the nutritional needs of Toronto’s children. However, according to Catherine Parsonage, CEO of the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, this initiative is just the beginning. Student nutrition programs across the city currently serve approximately 240,000 students in Toronto. This number has grown by 14,000 children this year alone. Yet, despite their efforts, these programs face challenges. Higher food costs, reduced quantities, and increased student need create a critical situation. Parsonage emphasizes the heartbreaking reality: some programs can only offer meager meals - perhaps two carrot sticks and a cracker - falling short of nourishing hungry children. The gap between what’s needed and what’s provided remains substantial. While the federal program is commendable, it cannot stand alone. John Wujek, executive director of the Angel Foundation for Learning, stresses that municipal, provincial, and community support are essential. The Toronto Foundation for Student Success partners with the Angel Foundation to provide meals to 61,000 students daily. When we fight hunger, students learn and thrive. Parsonage hopes for swift action. Although the government plans to launch the program in the 2024-25 school year, she advocates for implementation by this September. “Let’s go fast,” she urges. Our kids can’t wait. At St. John XXIII Catholic School, 470 elementary students receive a modest breakfast—simple yet vital. Baheya Kass-Barsoum, a volunteer food coordinator, recognizes the importance of such provisions. Let’s rally together, advocate, and ensure no child faces an empty stomach. #FoodInsecurityMatters

All kids deserve to be nourished. A great piece by Michael Pollan on universal school meals. This is so personal to me, having worked for many years in the farm to school movement and then for the U.S. Senate, helping draft and advance two Universal School Meals bills, both which included free school meals for all students as well as key local food incentive provisions. With the 2019 intro of that bill, it felt a bit like a pipe dream (to be honest, a lot of Bernie’s bills were aspirational). But then COVID hit, and as soon as the Biden administration came in they provided considerable flexibility for schools to offer free meals for all students. What an incredible difference it made, and advanced the idea that families don’t have to literally be in debt to schools for not being able to pay the lunch bill, or kids getting shamed that they couldn't pay. Or worse, they just don’t eat lunch. We introduced the 2021 bill with a little more enthusiasm and co-sponsors, but the real excitement was going on at the state level where advocacy groups, state agencies, and even governors like Tim Walz were championing universal school meals. “One of Tim Walz’s signature achievements as governor of Minnesota was to sign into law a 2023 bill that made breakfast and lunch available to all public school students, regardless of their ability to pay. When critics attacked the policy and him as too liberal, he shut them down: “What a monster! Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn.”” Brilliant, Tim. And compassionate. Let’s make sure that all 28.6 million students served school meals each day do not have to worry about whether they can afford them, and they can focus on what’s most important -  learning, growth, and enrichment. #farmtoschool #localfood #foodsystem #schoolmeals #foodismedicine #childnutrition

Government to Change School Lunch Program in New Zealand The New Zealand government is changing its school lunch program to feed more children for less money. Here's the gist: More kids get lunches: The program will include an additional 10,000 children aged 2-5 in early learning services. Lower cost lunches: Schools will get food from the government at a discount. Lunches may be simpler (think sandwiches and fruit instead of couscous and hummus). Parents can also choose to pack lunches. Changes for older kids: This new system applies to students from year 7 and above. Primary school lunches (years 0-6) remain unchanged. What do YOU think? Is this a win-win for cost and choice, or a recipe for unhealthy lunches? Comment! #school lunches #NZ #education #healthy eating P.S. Share this post if you think all Kiwi kids deserve a decent lunch! #lunchtime

Government to Change School Lunch Program in New Zealand The New Zealand government is changing its school lunch program to feed more children for less money. Here's the gist: More kids get lunches: The program will include an additional 10,000 children aged 2-5 in early learning services. Lower cost lunches: Schools will get food from the government at a discount. Lunches may be simpler (think sandwiches and fruit instead of couscous and hummus). Parents can also choose to pack lunches. Changes for older kids: This new system applies to students from year 7 and above. Primary school lunches (years 0-6) remain unchanged. What do YOU think? Is this a win-win for cost and choice, or a recipe for unhealthy lunches? Comment! #school lunches #NZ #education #healthy eating P.S. Share this post if you think all Kiwi kids deserve a decent lunch! #lunchtime

There is a growing list of states that offer universal free school meals (UFSM), which means that all children receive healthy school meals at no cost to the family. What does the evidence say about the impact of UFSM on schools and students?   A new systematic review that included 6 studies representing more than 11,000 schools was published today. A key finding was that providing UFSM was associated with increased lunch participation. This means that more students are accessing healthy school meals. Other highlights from individual studies were that UFSM was associated with a decrease in the prevalence of students with obesity and fewer student suspensions.   Learn more by reading the study led by Maureen Spill, Rupal Trivedi, Rachel Condie Thoerig, Arin A Balalian, Julie Davis, Margaret Foster, and Amanda MacFarlane from the Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center and co-authored by national colleagues including Marlene Schwartz, Craig Gundersen, Angela Odoms-Young and Elizabeth F. Racine. 🔗 : https://bit.ly/3LVKDGm #schoolmeals #schools #education #schoollunch

**Universal Free School Meals: A Smart Investment for Our Future** The estimated cost of implementing universal free school breakfast and lunch nationwide stands at around $19 billion annually. This investment would ensure every child has access to nutritious meals, directly enhancing educational outcomes and reducing food insecurity. Given the financial strain this places on school districts, collaboration with procurement partners like OMNIA Partners becomes crucial. OMNIA Partners offers cooperative purchasing solutions that help schools save money on supply chain expenses. By leveraging collective buying power, OMNIA Partners can negotiate better pricing on essential food items and services, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. For example, states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Colorado have already seen success with expanded free meal programs, demonstrating the positive impact on student participation and well-being. With OMNIA Partners' support, schools across the nation can adopt similar programs more sustainably. Let's advocate for universal free school meals and utilize strategic partnerships to make this vision a reality. Together, we can invest in our children's future while optimizing costs for our communities. #Education #ChildNutrition #UniversalFreeMeals #OMNIAPartners #SchoolLunch #SchoolBreakfast #Procurement #PublicSchools #TaxpayerSavings

A recent New York Times article, https://lnkd.in/gZWcTMF8, details the story of the current state of Universal Free School Meals. Wonder what the scientific data reveal about Universal Free School Meals? Check out my poster -Systematic Review on the Associations of Universal Free School Meals and School and Student Outcomes- at #Nutrition2024!

A study by Public Health Nutrition found that at over 70% of universities, students are struggling with food insecurity. That means they can't consistently access enough nutritious food to meet their basic needs.    This isn't just an inconvenience – it's a crisis impacting students' health, academic performance, and even graduation rates.    Here's why this is a huge deal: • Food insecurity is linked to 40% of the decrease in graduation rates, especially for first-generation students.  • Students facing hunger often experience anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation.  • They may have to skip classes to work extra shifts, further jeopardizing their education. But there's a solution that can bridge the food insecurity gap and empower students. By adding smart lockers to your campus, you can provide students with a convenient way to access pre-ordered pantry groceries without waiting or uncomfortable interactions. This solution addresses food insecurity and eliminates the fear of judgment and stigma associated with it, allowing students to prioritize their health and well-being without compromising their academic focus or dignity.    We can't let these alarming statistics become our new normal. Smart lockers offer a practical, dignified solution that empowers students to focus on their education, not their next meal. Let's prioritize student well-being and bridge the food insecurity gap.    Learn more about Parcel Pending’s solutions to reducing food insecurity or contact me!  https://bit.ly/42munVc Congrats to our newest client Cape Cod Community College for meeting this challenge head on and partnering to tackle food insecurity! #Parcel Pending by Quadient #parcellockers #highereducation

“When all students are able to have healthy meals before and during school, they can spend their day focused on learning.”” In the year since Michigan implemented universal school meals, data shows that in “October 2023, over 6 million more breakfasts and lunches were served than in October 2022, over 11 million more breakfasts and lunches have been served this school year, on average, more than 74,000 more students are eating breakfast daily, on average, more than 122,000 more students are eating lunch daily.” Learn about the benefits of expanding USM and Solving Hunger's impact at solving-hunger.org.