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| | | New Report:
School Food Programs
Around the World – Lessons
for Canada |
| |  | | The Coalition for Healthy School Food would like to share a new report: School Food Programs Around the World: Lessons for Canada — a timely and comprehensive resource offering global insight to help shape the future of school food in Canada.
Authored by: Gary Hoyer, Suvadra Datta Gupta, Kirsti Tasala, Nicole Weber, and Nina Trask
With special contribution to the Japan chapter by Betty Izumi, Rei Akamatsu, Katsura Omori, Alexis Agliano Sanborn, and Mayumi Uejima-Carr Aross the globe, school food programs play a powerful role in student health, academic success, and community well-being. This report dives into what’s working in countries around the world and draws meaningful lessons to inform policy and practice here in Canada. 🧠 What You’ll Find Inside: In-depth analysis of international school food models Expert-led insights and case studies Strategic recommendations for planning, developing, or enhancing school food initiatives in Canada A special focus on Japan’s successful, integrated school lunch system
From high-level policy frameworks to day-to-day operations, this report equips policymakers, educators, and advocates with the knowledge and inspiration to build healthier, more sustainable school food programs. Join us in building a healthier future for Canadian students—one meal at a time. Download it here! |
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| | | | Recap: Applying to the School Food Infrastructure Fund - Information Session for Black-Led Orgs |
| |  | | We would like to thank everyone who joined our School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) Information Session on April 15, 2025.
If you would like to watch the webinar, you can click here.
It was an opportunity for Black-led community organizations in Canada to learn, connect, and access opportunities in school food funding.
We thank our speakers for their insights, leadership and discussions :
- Lindsay Corbin – Atlantic School Food Coalition
- François Jolicoeur – Breakfast Club of Canada
- Carolyn Webb – Farm to Cafeteria Canada
- Fiona Bowser – Second Harvest
- Grant Goodman & Robbie Solway – MAZON Canada
🌟 Why this session mattered:
This event was designed by and for Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organizations, helping them:
- Navigate SFIF eligibility and application processes
- Strengthen grant applications
- Build equitable access to funding in school food
About the Black School Food Working Group
Hosted by the Coalition for Healthy School Food, this initiative brings together Black-led community organizations across Canada who are committed to school food programs.
The mission of this working group is to amplify Black voices, experiences, and policy goals in the school food movement.
A common concern raised by our members? Accessing grant funding. This info session was our collective response to those barriers.
If you have any questions or follow-up, please contact Asma Musa, the Black School Food Working Group Coordinator – [email protected] |
| | | | New infographics - Understanding School Food Programs and Food Literacy:
What They Are and Why They Matter |
| |  | | As momentum builds around the National School Food Program in Canada, we have received several questions about what a “school food program” is and what “food literacy.” is. These terms are essential to supporting students’ health, learning, and well-being. The Coalition for Healthy School Food has developed two new infographics—designed to inform, inspire, and advocate for inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant food education and programs in schools across the country.
📊 Access downloadable resources
📣 Join the movement for healthier school communities in Canada Let’s work together to ensure every child and youth in Canada has the food and food education they need to perform in school. We invite you to download our new resources: “What is a school food program?” and “What is food literacy?” |
| | | | Webinar - More Than a Meal: How Countries Are Transforming School Food |
| |  | | We’re always seeking inspiration from around the world. On April 15, 2025, the Centre for Studies in Food Security at Toronto Metropolitan University organized a webinar exploring international models of school food programs. Debbie Field spoke on Canada, Birgit Hoinle on Germany, Cecilia Rocha on Brazil, and Yukari Seko on Japan. The discussion highlighted how school food programs are transforming lives—far beyond the plate. Here are some of the global models that stood out: Canada: Building Our First National School Food Program Canada is taking exciting steps toward a national program focused on health, accessibility, and inclusion.
📌 A shared vision built on equity and flexibility. Japan: Where Food Is Part of the Curriculum
Through Shokuiku, students in Japan learn about nutrition and food culture. Eating is an extension of education.
📌 School lunch = learning in action. Brazil: Leveraging Food Policy for Equity
Brazil provides free school meals for all students, with at least 30% of ingredients sourced from small-scale family farms.
📌 Policy that promotes equity and strengthens local agriculture. Germany: Diverse Models, Shared Values
Germany’s decentralized approach allows for local innovation, from organic meals to student-run kitchens.
📌 Sustainability and inclusion lead the way. The lessons during this webinar✔️ School meals are more than nutrition — they are foundational to learning, well-being, and equity.
✔️ Success requires collaboration across sectors and consistent monitoring.
✔️ The best programs reflect local communities and cultures. We’re grateful to Toronto Metropolitan University for the invitation and to our fellow panelists — Birgit Hoinle, Yukari Seko, and Cecilia Rocha — for your powerful contributions. 📽️ Watch the webinar recording: Click here |
| | | | New UNESCO report - Learn to eat well — Connecting Nutrition & Education |
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| |  | | In collaboration with the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring team released their new report, called Learn to eat well. This report explores the powerful connection between education and nutrition—and why both are essential to achieving Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and better health outcomes worldwide. Why It Matters
1) Nutrition supports learning
Healthy school meals and early childhood nutrition improve student performance and long-term well-being.2) Education drives better diets
Learning builds knowledge and skills for healthier food choices—benefiting people and the planet. 3) We need a life-cycle approach
From farmer training to nutrition education, skilled professionals help shape sustainable food systems. Despite their interdependence, nutrition and education remain siloed in research and policy. This report calls for: ✔️ Cross-sector collaboration
✔️ Stronger monitoring of school meal programs
✔️ More investment in education as a tool for better nutrition It’s time to connect food and learning.
We invite you to read the full report. |
| | | |  | SCHOOL FOOD - RECENT NEWS AND REPORTS he following is a sample of all of the recent school food media: Vancouver entrepreneur steps in to stop school lunch program funding cut, Gloria Macarenko, CBC News, Apr 23, 2025 What does Toronto want from the federal parties? Olivia Chow has a wish list, David Rider, Toronto Star, Apr 18, 2025 No goulash? Some parents lukewarm to N.S. school lunch program, Richard Woodbury, CBC News, Apr 12, 2025 Révolutionner l’alimentation scolaire : une histoire de collaboration et de cœur, ITHQ, le 16 avril 2025 (available in French only) Cafétéria à l’école, un modèle dépassé en 2025?, Carolyne Labrie, Le Quotidien, le 14 avril 2025 (available in French only) Plus de 8 M$ pour soutenir l’achat local et le développement de nouveaux marchés, Frédéric Therrien, M361, le 3 avril 2025 (available in French only) Services de repas à l’école : le gouvernement en fait-il assez pour nos jeunes ?, Xavier Pouliot, Le Quotidien, le 1er avril , 2025 (available in French only)
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