With school returning, so too is Nutrition for Learning, an organization offering healthy food for kids across the region free of charge.
The organization is in 93 per cent of schools in the region, as the demand for food increases. It provides a variety of programs for kids.
"Last year ... we served over two million meals, and when you think of that, that is just a mind blowing number," said O'neil Edwards, executive director of the organization. "And, that's just the core, not the breakfast programs or after school programs,"
Along with meal programs, Nutrition for Learning also offers healthy snacks for kids that are right in the classroom. That way, they can eat something healthy such as apples, or yogurt tubes whenever they are hungry.
Last year, there was an over 100 percent increase in demand for the programs.
This year, the increased demand and the rising cost of food has created some challenges for the organization. However, Edwards said the plan is for every school in a program to continue receiving food.
"Our number one goal is that no school will go without," he said. "The difference might be that they order six boxes of apple sauce, and we can only give them four that week because we want to make sure everybody gets."
He added that this issue affects everyone in the community, and it remains extremely important to ensure all children are fed properly at school.
"The most vulnerable people in regards to food security are these kinds of students," said Edwards. "But they have the most potential to overcome some of these issues that may be happening in their home, and really work towards breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty."
One of the programs the organization began last year, is one in which students go to a local farm where they can learn where their food comes from, and receives food from the farm. Edwards said that program will continue this school year, and want to also be able to eventually support kids outside of school.
Nutrition for learning relies mainly on donors, and volunteers, while receiving some corporate government support.
"This is important, this affects everybody in your local community, it's not something that's out there that I watch in the news, but it's in some other country, said Edwards. "This is right in your backyard."
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