Item - 2021.HL26.3

Tracking Status

This item was considered by Board of Health on March 22, 2021 and was adopted with amendments.

HL26.3 - Student Nutrition Program: Provincial Funding During COVID-19

Decision Type:: ACTION

Status:: Amended

Wards:: All

Board Decision

The Board of Health:

1. Acknowledged the Government of Ontario for the approximately $3 million committed toward the extra costs faced by student nutrition programs in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated its request to the Government of Ontario to provide adequate funding to fully stabilize student nutrition programs for remote learners for the current school period to June 2021.

2. Acknowledged the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its announcement on December 18, 2020 in support of breakfast programs nationally and requested the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Breakfast Club of Canada to expedite and provide more details on Toronto's share of the funding allocation.

Origin

(March 8, 2021) Report from the Medical Officer of Health

Summary

This report responds to a motion passed at the January 18, 2021 Board of Health meeting requesting the Medical Officer of Health to report on the status of additional emergency pandemic funding for student nutrition from the Province of Ontario at the March 22, 2021 Board of Health meeting.

Student nutrition programs contribute to the health and wellbeing of students through providing nutritious food choices and have been demonstrated to improve learning outcomes among children. Toronto Public Health continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation with schools and works with student nutrition programs, school boards and their foundations to ensure the safe operation of student nutrition programs.

Background Information

(March 8, 2021) Report from the Medical Officer of Health on Student Nutrition Program: Provincial Funding During COVID-19
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-164767.pdf

Motions

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That:

1. The Board of Health acknowledge the Government of Ontario for the approximately $3 million committed toward the extra costs faced by student nutrition programs in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterate its request to the Government of Ontario to provide adequate funding to fully stabilize student nutrition programs for remote learners for the current school period to June 2021.

2. The Board of Health acknowledge the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its announcement on December 18, 2020 in support of breakfast programs nationally and request the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Breakfast Club of Canada to expedite and provide more details on Toronto's share of the funding allocation.