By actively nurturing care and connection, school food programs improve children’s access to healthy food and nurture security and well-being.
This is at the heart of a study where researchers documented lunchtime in British Columbia's schools as they went from in-house food to external caterers.
For children, food was a source of care.
It meant a lot when parents packed lunch they enjoyed, when classmates shared food. These acts of care are even more important now as children attend school amidst a pandemic after months of lockdown.
Food did not have the same meaning when it came from an anonymous caterer rather than the caring cafeteria worker who had gotten to know them and cared for them.
Caring, nurturing school food programs need to be part of Canada's COVID19 strategy.
They will support children through the pandemic and beyond.
Original article:
Care is the secret ingredient in school lunch programs
Original study: