Sadeem, you raise a crucial point about the deep connection between food security and student success. The impact of hunger on students’ ability to learn, focus, and engage in school is undeniable, making initiatives like the Breakfast Club of Canada essential. While government-funded programs are an important step in addressing food insecurity, I believe schools and communities must also play an active role in ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals.
Beyond providing meals, schools can incorporate food literacy into their curriculum, teaching students about nutrition, meal preparation, and budgeting for healthy food. Programs like school gardens and cooking workshops not only help students develop life skills but also foster a sense of responsibility and connection to their food. These initiatives align with the Comprehensive School Health Model that you discussed, reinforcing the idea that food security is about more than just nutrition—it’s about building stronger, healthier communities. I do think schools have a responsibility to support food security, but it should be a collaborative effort between educators, governments, and local organizations to create sustainable, long-term solutions. As teachers, I think we need to model healthy eating habits and show enthusiasm for it. One of my favourite classes in high school was cooking class, in which a lot of skills I still apply to my cooking today. I would love to teach cooking classes one day, especially because I have celiac disease and have had to do a lot of experimenting in the kitchen!! I’d love to help create a safe environment for students with allergies or eating disorders (something else I struggled with). Thanks for sharing this post.
