Nutrition Program

Nutrition at Meadows School

At Meadows School, we believe that nutrition is foundational to supporting active, healthy, and engaged learners. We are grateful for government and non-profit grant funding, which allows us to provide breakfast, snacks, and supplemental lunch items to students without barriers, judgement, perceived need, or stigma.

Our nutrition program is inclusive and responsive. We accommodate students with food allergies as well as religious and cultural dietary restrictions. All food items offered to students follow the Province of Manitoba’s Moving Forward with School Nutrition Guidelines.

Daily Access to Nutritious Food

Each morning, a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, and milk) is placed in a refrigerator outside the school office. Students are welcome to access these items as needed throughout the day to support their nutritional needs.

In addition, snack baskets are provided in classrooms for nutrition breaks. These baskets include a variety of items such as fruits, vegetables, trail mix, raisins, cereals, granola bars, and frozen yogurt tubes. These snacks are available for students who may not have brought snacks from home on a given day.

Funding and Partnerships

Food purchased for student access is funded through a combination of government funding, Food for Thought, and the Child Nutrition Council. The Child Nutrition Council offers grants that schools may apply for to supplement government funding. Meadows School applies for this grant annually to ensure we are able to provide sufficient fresh fruits and vegetables, so all students have access when they need a snack or wish to supplement their lunch.

Breakfast Program

Our breakfast program is financially supported by Food for Thought. The breakfast program coordinator prepares food items that students can grab and take to their classrooms beginning at 8:20 a.m. Students have access to cereals, milk, fruits, and vegetables during the breakfast program. If a child comes to school after 9:00 a.m. and has not had breakfast, they are welcome to get cereal and milk from the office.

If your child would like to participate in the breakfast program, a form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian prior to participation. This form is required for

accounting and reporting purposes, as Food for Thought is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from community partners and support from the Child Nutrition Council.

Drink Machine

Our drink machine is used as a fundraiser to support referees for Grade 7 and 8 extracurricular activities. The machine sells Bubly, which adheres to the Moving Forward with School Nutrition Guidelines as well as Brandon School Division Administrative Procedure 2060.

Important Note

There is no judgement placed on the foods families send with their children for snacks or lunches, provided that items do not contain allergens that have been identified within our school community.