Roseau Valley School (RVS) in Dominion City is now offering free lunch to every student, five days a week.
The school, part of the Borderland School Division, is off to a strong start this year.
“We've got so many new and familiar faces coming into the school. We have a very busy school, it's a K to 12, so it's been busy, but a lot of fun,” says Principal Jennifer Collette.
Lunch programs
The free lunch program began in 2021 with a weekly salad day. Last year, provincial nutrition funding allowed RVS to expand to three days a week.
“Our dream was always to get to a point where we were serving people five days a week,” says Collette.
In May and June, the school tested daily service and found it could work. This year, students now receive five free meals each week.
“Schools have really become places where there is this home feel and being able to serve the free lunch, it just feels like we're all taking care of each other, and people are getting what they need from the school system,” she adds.
RVS also runs a daily breakfast program that offers fruit, vegetables, and baked goods. Collette says both programs are making a difference.
“We're finding that students are more settled in their day. They're not having to worry about the food factor. We're seeing that kids are ready, they have their lunch, they're full and they go back to their class.”
She notes the program helps families who may struggle to provide enough food.
“I think we also think about socioeconomic pieces too, where we know that not all children have access to food at home. It's something that if we can be able to provide that as a school, we are so willing to do that.”
Vice Principal Kerry Peterson says the programs help students feel comfortable.
“I think because it's a universal program, students aren't nervous or they're willing to ask if they need it as well. So, the student needs a snack, or they need breakfast program, they know where to access it and it's readily available to all students.”
The school follows the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba guidelines to ensure meals are healthy.
“We're constantly looking at our menu to figure out how do we meet those guidelines, those nutrition pieces for students and how do we expose kids to foods that they might not normally have exposure to,” says Collette.
New kitchen
She adds that to handle the larger food program, the school had to make some upgrades.
“We decided we need to invest some money here at school and we're going to build a kitchen in our school. And it has been amazing.”
She says that the initiative is about more than just meals.
“I think it's really evolved at our school in the sense that we want that inclusiveness of that we're all eating together and everyone's eating the same meal.”
Upcoming community event
Beyond the food program, RVS continues to plan community events. On September 26, the school will host their annual Love My Community Day.
“We're having a community barbecue, and we want people to come see our new kitchen,” says Collette. “That whole day is about spreading kindness in the community.”
Students will run a pop-up market where they will be creating items to give away. Collette adds that a “My Cousin’s Closet” will also be open.
“Which is a thrifting experience for anybody in the community and students who want to participate in it. We set up a store in our library and people can come for free and take items that they need. And so that will be a really fun day on September 26.”
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