The local public school board is celebrating hitting a milestone of ensuring all of its students have access to healthy food at school, without barriers or stigma.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) said it is among the first school boards in Ontario to have all of its elementary and secondary schools supported by the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP). Each of the 62 schools in Lambton County and Chatham-Kent receives OSNP funding, either as their primary source of support or as a complement to existing school‑run nutrition programs.
Amy Ostropolec, the community development coordinator for OSNP in Chatham-Kent, said around 1.8 million meals and snacks are served in Chatham-Kent within a single school year.
“You don’t always see it. You can’t always tell what kids are hungry and what kids aren’t. But our program is available to every single student who goes to school,” she said.
As part of Nutrition Month, Tecumseh Public School and Tilbury District High School were recently recognized for their work implementing the student nutrition program during a presentation at Retro Suites on March 5.
Ostropolec said it’s important to build further awareness about the program.
“We want people to know about the program,” she said. “We would love parents, guardians, anybody to know that when their students are coming to school, there are snacks available.”
Families and community members can learn more about local student nutrition programs by clicking here.
