Location: Gatineau, Quebec
Nominator: Correne Giles, Vice Principal
Favourite way “food connects”: Land
Link to F2CC: Farm to School Canada Grant recipient 2022-2024
While working there for 5 years, she was inspired by their student and teacher-run cafeteria program, and upon returning home, she set to work creating her version of what she had experienced up North. With the support of her vice principal, she secured a Farm to School Canada Grant in 2022, took over the free lunch program, and incorporated it into her teaching to MAP (modified academic) and WOTP (work-oriented training pathway) studFents.
So far in her work in school food, Susie has been surprised that “a small place can provide a significant difference. [For other schools who want to do the same,] it is important to see that big things can be done in small spaces.” Her small space builds a lot of love and she’s found that it is a safe place for a lot of students.
“Mrs. Leamen takes away the stigma surrounding not having food while also teaching students and providing access to healthy options. She gets students in the kitchen helping to prepare the food that is offered through the program and ensure those using the program show their appreciation. Healthy colourful snacks, soups, baking and delicious lunches are shared to any student needing food on any particular day. It’s truly amazing how dedicated she is. – Correne Giles, Vice Principal Hadley Jr. High & Philemon Wright High
Susie and her students work towards removing the stigma from free food and giving better food to students through gardening, budgeting, creating menus, and cooking together. Susie’s program feeds snacks to 100 children and 40-50 full meals daily. The program is open to all students but primarily focuses on those facing food insecurity.
For Susie, in a world with perfect school food systems, “every student would come to school knowing they would have one delicious meal a day”. Susie Leamen’s journey in school food education is rooted in her passion for culinary arts and her dedication to creating inclusive, healthy food environments for students.
For Susie, food is a powerful connector—to the land, to knowledge, and to each other. While she didn’t grow up knowing where food comes from, she has since embraced connecting to the land through food. Involving students in the whole process of food production and teaching them how to apply that knowledge to address food insecurity through acts of self-sufficiency is very important to her.
Susie also recognizes that while access to food is a basic human right and fundamental to wellbeing, it’s often taken for granted by those who have never had to worry about food security. She encourages her students to slow down and reflect on the fact that not everyone has the same access to healthy meals as them, fostering an understanding of the inequities that exist in our food and broader social systems. Susie encourages students to recognize and be mindful of how they speak about privilege, cultivating empathy and compassion in her classroom.
While food connects us in many ways, we asked Susie to pick one “food connects” theme that really resonates with her. She chose “Communities”
Susie believes food connects us — it is a building block for communities.
By creating a safe, inclusive space for students to learn and grow, Susie is helping Farm to Cafeteria Canada realize its mission of transforming how food is experienced, learned, and celebrated in schools across Canada. Her program not only provides nourishment but also teaches essential life skills and fosters empathy among students.
Teachers like Susie are working to create self-sustaining programs, but often need support to build this capacity. To help more individuals like Susie and school communities connect students to their food and the systems that produce it, consider making a donation today.
