Report No. 003-12

TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE: 2012 January 19

Ontario Student Nutrition Programs - Middlesex-London

It is recommended:

1.   That a letter be sent to The Honourable Eric Hoskins, Minister of Children and Youth Services, advocating for the maintaining of funding for the Ontario Student Nutrition Program; and further

2.   That a letter of appreciation be sent to the May Court Club of London in recognition of their support for local school nutrition programs.

Background

The World Health Organization states that education is the most important social determinant of health. Children and youth who succeed academically and graduate from secondary school are less likely to live in poverty and are more likely to be successful working class citizens of society.  The link between healthy eating and education is significant. Healthy eating patterns in childhood and adolescence promote optimal health, growth and intellectual development.  Children and youth who eat breakfast perform better academically. 

Evidence

In 2008, a universal morning meal program was implemented at seven schools in Toronto.  The 2011 interim evaluation study report released by the Toronto District Catholic School Board highlighted the importance of eating breakfast in terms of academic achievement.  The interim results demonstrate that students who eat morning meals at least three days during a school week achieve higher grades and higher ratings on learning skills compared to students who eat morning meals on fewer days or who never eat them.  In terms of learning skills, students who eat morning meals are better able to perform independent work, have better initiative, and improved problem solving abilities and class participation.  School staff and administrators reported that eating morning meals resulted in improvements in student behaviour and attitude, reduced tardiness, fewer disciplinary problems and a better ability to stay on task. Previous research also supports that Student Nutrition Programs help to alleviate short-term hunger resulting from food insecurity among children living in low income and result in improved learning outcomes, reduced absenteeism and fewer violent incidents.  Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day and is linked to academic achievement.

Provincial Response

The Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) is part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This universal program meets the mandate for attempting to reduce health inequities in communities by providing healthy foods to all children and youth in schools, so they can be ready to learn and participate in daily activities.  The Student Nutrition Programs are funded in part by the Ontario government and local fundraising initiatives. They are community-driven and mainly operated by school staff and volunteers.  These programs help to build healthy, engaged and socialized communities.  Provincially in 2010, approximately 600,000 students received nutritious snacks and meals through the OSNP.  Fundraising is an important part of the Student Nutrition Program; however, all children are welcome to participate. There are 15 lead agencies in Ontario that are linked to communities and distribute funding to local programs.  

Southwest Region Landscape and Program Participation in Middlesex-London

In the Southwest Region, the lead agency is the Victorian Order of Nurses.  The provincial budget for this program is estimated at approximately $17 million annually with approximately $2.2 million directed to the Southwest Region (there are 8 partnerships within the Southwest).  Children’s Nutrition Network (CNN) is the local partnership for Middlesex-London that supports the Student Nutrition Programs in the area.  CNN brings together community partners including Investing in Children, May Court Club of London, the Health Unit, local School Boards and London Intercommunity Health Centre.  A Public Health Dietitian works with the group on a consultative basis and provides nutrition updates and workshops for the volunteers in the program.  Public Health Nurses in the schools often assist schools in the application process and provide support to the programs. All programs follow the 2008 Student Nutrition Program Nutrition Guidelines.  The guidelines assist providers in selecting nutritious foods for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Currently, there are 74 programs in Middlesex-London of which 60 are run within London and 14 in Middlesex County.  Of the 74 programs, 50 are offered within the elementary school setting, 18 at secondary level, 5 in Alternative Centres and 1 program at Youth Opportunities Unlimited.  Applications for OSNP funding are available each spring.  It is projected for the 2011-12 school year in Middlesex-London over 8,000 individuals will access the program.  Of those students, the number of times they access a program depends on how often the program is run per week in the respective school.

Program Funding

The funding formula for grants is based on the number of students the program will serve, the number of days the program will run and the type of program (meal, snack or blended).  A premium is added for targeted and secondary school programs (one cent premium).  Approximately 15 cents is allocated per meal or snack per student.  Fifteen cents will only partially fund a breakfast or a snack for a child or youth.  Local school fundraising, community sponsors and other organizations become part of the remaining funding formula to support these valuable programs.  London OSNP funding for 2011-12 is $172,502.  This represents about a 2% reduction in initial funding allocation due to a shortfall in funds. The May Court Club of London, whose mandate is to support the wellbeing of children with a primary focus on nutrition, fundraises to support local school nutrition programs.  Last year, May Court supported 94 schools across the 4 school boards in Middlesex-London with a budget of approximately $50,000. CNN also engages in local fundraising to support programs. To date for the 2011-12 school year, nineteen programs local programs have been supported with $6,150.  In the 2010-11 school year, a total of $8,000 was given to support 20 local programs.  Investing in Children is the local flow through for the CNN and writes funding proposals to support London-Middlesex programs.  In addition, funds are donated from local businesses. 

Conclusion

As per the interim results from the Toronto Distinct School Boards Report “universal school morning meal programs can be a valuable intervention measure to facilitate student success and well being.” It is therefore recommended that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to advocate for maintained funding during these challenging economic times.

This report was prepared by Ms. Christine Callaghan, Public Health Dietitian, and Ms. Christine Preece, Manager, Young Adult Team.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health

This report addresses the following requirement(s) of the Ontario Public Health Standards: Chronic Disease Prevention Standard 3, 4 and 11. Child Health Standard 4 and 8.