The School Food Development Project: Lunch Lessons Learned
Date
2024-04-30
Authors
Foster, Stefanie
Shakotko, Tammy
Quinn, Shay
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Saskatchewan Population Health Evaluation Research Unit
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Working Paper
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Abstract
The School Food Development Project explored the design and implementation of culturally-appropriate school food programs (SFPs) with Indigenous schools and communities. Partnered with nine Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) Education schools and three Saskatoon Public (SPS) schools the research team explored strengths and challenges of existing programs; worked with schools to design interventions and initiatives that would strengthen/grow breakfast, lunch and snack programs and increase the amount of food literacy learning happening in classrooms. The Lunch Lessons Learned report acts as a capstone for the project and offers some short case studies, practical recommendations for improving SFPs and links to resources to help schools and agencies along their school food journey.
The School Food Development Project was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)'s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund. The Lunch Lessons Learned report was funded by Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR).
Description
School food programs are important for the health and wellbeing of our children and youth. In April 2024, the Canadian Government announced $2billion in funding for a National School Food Program. As we work towards a federal plan, Indigenous communities (urban, small community, and on-reserve) must have the resources to determine appropriate school food programs for their communities. There is an opportunity to get a national program “right” by centering Indigenous students and families and focusing on the development of school food program interventions in their schools. School food plays an important role in a person’s physical health; it can also be an important component of their cultural and spiritual wellness. The School Food Development Project provided an opportunity for it's partner schools to strengthen their existing nutrition programs in culturally-responsive ways, and build upon what “school food” means in their school by engaging students in different aspects of SFPs such as cooking, land-based learning, gardening, nutrition education, sustainability initiatives, etc.
The Lunch Lessons Learned report outlines the major components of the project and explores the challenges and successes school partners faced in their journey towards more culturally appropriate school food programming for their students. It includes links to practical school food resources for schools, teachers and interested agencies.
Keywords
school food, student nutrition, case studies, food literacy, culture, Indigenous education, food sovereignty, food security
Citation
Foster, S., Shakotko, T., Quinn, S. (2024). The School Food Development Project: Lunch lessons learned. Saskatchewan Population Health Evaluation Research Unit.
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Citation
Foster, S., Shakotko, T., Quinn, S. (2024). The School Food Development Project: Lunch lessons learned. Saskatchewan Population Health Evaluation Research Unit.