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Food & Friends

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The Food & Friends Program brings healthy food to hungry minds. Breakfast, morning meal, snack and lunch programs offered throughout Dufferin, Wellington County and Guelph agencies and schools, provide an atmosphere of social inclusion amongst students who may otherwise feel marginalized. Students have decreased disruptive behaviours in the classroom, learn healthy eating habits and build strong social skills.

Why Do We Exist?

Many children go to school unprepared to learn. They have not had the right nourishment, which makes it difficult to focus. Numerous studies have shown that children who are hungry do not perform as well as others in school. Our programs help children reach their potential.

We support vulnerable children and youth by:
  • Applying for grants on behalf of student nutrition programs
  • Ensuring criteria and reporting requirements for grants are fulfilled as programs are delivered
  • Assisting individual programs with their local fundraising efforts
  • Recruiting and training volunteers to ensure appropriate food menu planning and safe food handling
  • Providing continuity and assistance in the administration of programs
  • Organizing forums to promote best practices to enable continuous improvement
  • Maintaining quality assurance regarding guidelines and standards recommended by the ministry and national charities that provide funding for school-based nutrition programs
How we make a difference:
  • Provide children and youth with a positive start to the day
  • Improve their learning abilities
  • Decrease disruptive behaviours in the classroom
  • Encourage positive social skills
  • Teach children and youth healthy eating habits

2022 Facts & Information

 

School

107 Student Nutrition Programs provided over 47,000 students access to nutritious meals while at school.



F&F Plate

We provided over 2,350,000 meals to local students, ensuring they weren't learning on an empty stomach.



Cost Elementary

A healthy Food & Friends provided meal can cost up to $3.40 compared to $1.85 before the COVID-19 pandemic.



Program Partners

Our community partners include agencies, organizations and private sector companies who support us in our mission, principals, and beliefs. 

Ontario Logo 2021Funded in part by the Ministry of Children,
Community and Social Services.

Tim Hortons Logo 2021

Breakfast Club of Canada Logo 2021

YMCA Three Rivers LogoAdministered regionally by YMCA Three Rivers.

Hendrix Genetics Logo 2021

Grocery Foundation Logo 2021

UGDSB Logo

SDG Title

At the Children's Foundation, we are committed to the actions and goals of the United Nations and their global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. Our Food & Friends Program supports the following SDGs: