Item - 2022.HL37.6

The Board of Health recommends that :

1.  City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements and other suitable arrangements, on behalf of the City of Toronto, for the transfer of funds to the Angel Foundation for Learning ($4,492,696) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($12,318,607) for the purpose of administering the 2022 approved municipal funding (totalling $16,811,303) to eligible student nutrition programs across the City of Toronto on terms satisfactory to the Medical Officer of Health and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council reiterate its request to the Provincial Government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment.

3. City Council reiterate its request to the Federal Government to provide core funding for a national school food program.

The Board of Health:

1. Reiterated its request to the Provincial Government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment.

2.  Reiterated its request to the Federal Government to provide core funding for a national school food program.

3.  Forwarded the report (May 2, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Federal Minister of Health, the Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ontario Minister of Health, the Ontario Minister of Education, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, le Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, the Angel Foundation for Learning, the Daily Bread Food Bank, and the United Way.

Student nutrition programs are meal and snack programs offered primarily in public schools. They help to ensure that children and youth at risk for poor nutritional intake have access to safe, adequate, and culturally appropriate nutritious food. Research shows that when students eat healthy meals at school they focus better, score higher marks in reading, math and science, and are more likely to graduate high school. Students develop healthier eating habits, which can lower rates of childhood obesity and overweight.

Programs depend on funding from the City of Toronto (the City), the Province of Ontario (the Province), student and parent contributions, community fundraising, school board fundraising, and corporate donations. Additional funding and support from the federal and provincial governments is needed to ensure sustainable programs.

The City’s continued commitment to invest in student nutrition programs demonstrates its leadership among Canadian cities. This report outlines recommendations for the 2022 Student Nutrition Program service subsidy allocations, which includes a Council approved 2.5 percent cost of food inflationary increase of $403,446 from 2021 base approved budget. The proposed combined allocations to the Angel Foundation for Learning (AFL) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS) total $16,811,303, which includes $173,135 held in reserve for appeals/late applications.