Ontario has announced it will be allocating $73,000 to the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation.
The money is part of the province’s $5 million investment into the Student Nutrition Program and First Nations Student Nutrition Program which was announced last month.
Part of that investment will go to the Food for Learning program being offered by the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation.
Student nutrition programs across Hastings and Prince Edward counties are offered through Food for Learning, where they can be offered in the form of breakfast, lunch or snack programs.
Members of the foundation, as well as Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, got to witness the program in action.
Grilled cheese sandwiches being made in the kitchen at Tyendinaga Public School. November 8, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
At Tyendinaga Public School, students head to the gym area to start their day with something to eat.
Among the items to choose from on Wednesday were grilled cheese and different kinds of fruit.
Food for kindergarten students are delivered separately to their classrooms.
For them, they are served muffins, fruit and a yogurt drink.
“It’s a well-oiled machine here at Tyendinega Public School, there’s no question about it,” Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith tells Quinte News.
“You know, there’s a lot of really committed people from the community and the staff here are committed to making sure that the students at Tyendinaga Public School start the day with a good breakfast and then continue to make sure that they’re well nourished throughout the day.”
Operations Manager for the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation, Kellie Brace says it’s great to see the program the foundation offers in action.
“It’s always so motivating to come out into a school and see the work that we do behind the scenes and practise,” Brace told Quinte News.
“It’s lifting our spirits and really drives home the need for us to keep pushing these programs forward.
Kindergarten students at Tyendinaga Public School being given food as part of the Food for Learning program. November 8, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Food for Learning says the $73,000 will help bring their budget closer to a balanced budget.
“In September, Food for Learning passed a deficit budget of $100,000 for this school year,” Brace said.
“Having the $73,000 closes that gap a little bit that our deficit is much closer to a balance, which we hope through the community support we can get to a balanced budget, and that that money will all be used for food right here in the schools in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.”
With inflation and rising food costs, Brace says it’s having a big impact on the foundation.
“Food for Learning in all of the schools throughout Hastings and Prince Edward counties spends approximately $20,000 a week on food,” Brace said.
“That’s up significantly from before the pandemic and we know it’s going to keep rising until this inflation bubble bursts.”
The need for volunteers to help deliver these programs was also noted.
“Having the community support is I think the linchpin that makes these programs possible,” Program Coordinator for the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation, Vicky Struthers, tells Quinte News.
“I mean, we saw it firsthand. These kids just came in and got food and it was on Grilled Cheese Day and kids are just smiling down the halls and getting their fresh fruit so it wasn’t possible to have fresh, warm grilled cheese and cut up fruit without the volunteers.”
Those looking to volunteer can find more information at the Learning Foundation’s website.
