First photo is of students preparing various fruits to serve for breakfast. Second photo is of two nutrition program volunteers with a tub of food. Third photo is of students and staff preparing smoothies to serve. Fourth photo is of a group of students around a table eating breakfast together.

Programs, Partnerships and Organizations

Student Nutrition

Student Nutrition Programs (SNP) in the City of Toronto are supported by Student Nutrition Ontario - Toronto (SNO - Toronto).

SNO - Toronto is a collaborative community advisory partnership. Together, Toronto Foundation for Student Success​ (TFSS), Toronto Public Health (TPH), the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), the Angel Foundation for Learning (AFL), Foodshare Toronto, Second Harvest and Thorncliffe Park work in partnership to support Student Nutrition Programs.

In the TCDSB, one hundred and sixty four (164) schools are currently running one hundred and seventy five (175) student nutrition programs. Collectively​, these programs serve the needs of over 60 000 students on a daily basis. ​

Breakfast Club student servers
A cheese plate with healthy veggies and crackers
St. Joe Wellesley Breakfast Club - 2014
Cheese plates with veggies and crackers
Students gathered around cutting board preparing food
Students making smoothies
Students presenting prepared food
Students setting out food
Students sitting around a table enjoying food
Students sitting around a table enjoying food
Students sitting around a table enjoying food
Volunteers presenting table of food

Student Nutrition Program Types​

  • Programs offer breakfast or morning meals, lunches and/or snacks.

  • A meal (i.e., breakfast, morning meal and lunch programs) contains at least one serving from a minimum of three out of the four food groups of Canada’s Food Guide with a minimum of one serving of vegetables and/or fruit and one serving of milk or milk alternatives at every meal.

  • A minimum of one serving of grain products or meat or alternative is required at every meal.

  • Breakfast programs serve meals to children and youth prior to the start of the school day while morning meal programs offer meals to children and youth after the morning bell.

  • A snack program contains a minimum of two food groups of Canada’s Food Guide with a minimum of one serving of vegetables and/or fruit at every snack.

A variety of program models exist including, but not limited to:

  • “Grab ‘n go” programs where food is set up in a central area for students to take on their way to class.

  • Bin programs, where nutritious food is delivered to the classroom in a reusable bin.

  • A sit-down meal or snack typically served buffet style.

Contact Us

David Letra
Community Relations Officer
Phone: 416-222-8282 ext. 2687
Email: david.letra@tcdsb.org

Iris Martinez
AFL Student Nutrition Program Coordinator
Email: iris.martinez@tcdsb.org

Resources