By: Lindsay Goodridge, MPH (’21)
Covid-19 has presented a formidable challenge for school food programs looking to serve healthy food this fall. Nevertheless, members of the Coalition for Healthy School Food have shown resilience, commitment to their communities, and creativity when adapting their programs for Covid. Many members are continuing to provide healthy home cooked snacks and meals to schools, while others are developing creative ways to get food to children, youth and their families who would have participated in school food programs last year.
Below are 6 Covid pivot themes shared by members on a recent call.
Sudbury-Manitoulin Better Beginnings Better Futures (SMBBBF) distributed good food boxes to their communities using their student nutrition van and mobile market trailer.
BB4CK had an abundance of fresh food in their kitchens when schools shut down, so they prepared and sent it home with students who were collecting their belongings at schools.
SMBBBF sent vouchers to families to redeem for fruit and vegetables from their mobile market as well as $50 cash cards per student several times throughout the summer.
BB4CK mailed $30 grocery cards per student every 2 weeks to families who applied when schools shut down. They continue to provide grocery cards through teachers at schools who can’t yet participate in their lunch program.