Toronto Scores on School Food

Last March, Toronto City Council approved an increase of funding for student nutrition. The revised budget will now include nearly under $1.4 million in new funding, including for 27 new programs. Local student nutrition supporters were instrumental in changing how things unfolded with city councillors. 

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he was convinced of the need for the student nutrition program during deputations on the budget when he heard from young people who pointed to nutrition programs as the reason that they remained in school. 

“This allocation, I think it is important to note, represents a beginning as opposed to any kind of final answer,” added Tory. “I am especially happy about the expansion of the student nutrition program … I am absolutely convinced that this will improve the learning experience for hundreds of kids in our city and help to keep them in school.” 

The increased funding and the Mayor's public commitment towards continued expansion is extremely good news for student nutrition in Toronto. It also reminds us that broad-based general educational outreach efforts to politicians can work.

A great success story!

image credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture