Saunders Secondary School, London, ON
Grant term 2024-2026
Saunders Secondary is one of the largest secondary schools in Ontario with over 2000 students of all cultures and backgrounds. We have dozens of clubs and programs at Saunders, but the most important is our Nutrition Program which feeds an average of 300 students each day and is completely run by our DE work experience and life skills class. This program is possible through donations, fundraises and grants like Farm to Cafeteria Canada.
Our Nutrition Program has run here for several years partnered with Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) but never has it been this successful or student involved. Farm to Cafeteria grant has allowed our Nutrition Program to purchase essential kitchen tools and equipment needed to run and expand our breakfast and lunch club to suit the needs of all our students. Through various field trips and experiential learning opportunities, this grant has allowed students to explore farms, markets and learn about local farming, seasonal foods, cultural foods, where and when to get them and how to prepare them.
One trip we went on was McLachlan Maple Farms in Kamoka, just outside London. Here, students explore the maple tree farm, see the historical equipment and how its changed through the years, learn the origins of one of Canadas greatest natural resources, the maple tree and witness the process as they take sap and turn it into maple syrup.
Most of the new equipment we purchased was used to replace old, broken and outdated supplies that have been lingering here for decades. The most important purchase so far was our brand-new double deck oven. With this oven we can now bake fresh breads, pastries, and meals safely and in large quantities to suit the growing popularity of our nutrition program.
Our students have obtained Food Handlers Certificates and have been trained how to safely use the new tools and equipment by professional chefs along with creating some amazing dishes using ingredients that came from London area businesses and farms. We had the opportunity to purchase uniform chef coats and design them with “Farm to Cafeteria Canada” and “Saunders Nutrition Program” logos on them to wear when we serve food to the school each day.
This grant has allowed us to grow as a school, class, as a program and community. We here at Saunders are eternally grateful for all that Farm to Cafeteria has given us. There is so much more to do and so much more to learn as we continue into year two and I am very excited to see what this grant will do for us in the years to come. Thank you, Farm to Cafeteria Canada.
