School Food Solutions #7: Cultural Considerations

Throughout the 2024/25 school year Farm to Cafeteria Canada hosted School Food Solutions, a monthly working group to discuss how to build and strengthen school food programs in Indigenous communities, and how to bring more Indigenous foods and foodways into schools. 

For our session on Cultural Considerations, the discussion centred on how school food programs can better reflect and respect students’ diverse cultural backgrounds. This can be achieved by recognizing our identity in food and highlighting the importance of community involvement in informing menu plans and sharing cultural knowledge. Inclusive menu plans can help reduce stigma and increase student engagement. 

Other links shared in the chat:

• Forms and guidelines that Clifford referred to: Hunter Information | Wild Game Guidelines for Community Programs   
• Alberta First Nations Food Sovereignty Declaration – June 13, 2017
• Three Sisters Legends
• Traditional Foods in Montana School Meals
• Ogwaya^dadogęhsdǫh Seasonal Food Guide
• Dietitians of Canada Indigenous Recipes
• Cooking in Two Worlds
• Feeding the spirit of First Nations students – story about Clifford’s program
• Resources from the  University of Saskatchewan’s school food program resources page