Longtime chefs honoured for nutritious, delicious school cuisine for only $4 a plate

A duo of longtime chefs in the Lord Selkirk School Division have won Manitoba’s inaugural prize for “excellence in school nutrition.”

Josh Hogan and Paul Augst have won over picky eaters and a panel of judges with their rotating school lunch menu.

“We really like to focus on fresh herbs like basil, oregano and parsley. It’s an easy way to bring new flavours to the kids that’s not overwhelming,” Hogan said.

The nutrition program co-ordinator, alongside Augst, a chef with more than 30 years of experience, are being celebrated for finding a way to feed 400 children lunch, three times a week, for no more than $4 per plate.

Since September 2024, they’ve been tasked with brainstorming kid-friendly recipes that are rich in protein, calcium and fibre, and can be adjusted to accommodate varying dietary and cultural restrictions. The pair prepare a mix of hot and cold meals out of a church’s commercial kitchen.

Both chefs said their goal is to expose young diners to new ingredients and a variety of whole foods to set them up for a lifetime of nutritious eating habits.

For the last 20 years, the province has issued awards to certified teachers annually in recognition of their dedication and lasting impact on students.

The awards program — which is based on nominations submitted by parents, colleagues and others — has expanded this year to include non-teaching staff involved with school meal programs.

The Nello Altomare Award for Excellence in School Nutrition was established in honour of the late minister who introduced the provincewide nutrition program.

The NDP government announced in January 2024 that it would commit $30 million annually to follow through on a flagship election campaign promise. Altomare, a career teacher from Transcona, died one year later.

His MLA colleagues have since passed “Nello’s Law,” symbolic legislation designed to prevent future governments from defunding school meal programs.

In 2024-25, the first full year of the universally accessible nutrition program, 632 public schools were running at least one breakfast, lunch, snack or milk program. These programs fed about 47 per cent of the public school population every day.

Lord Selkirk has been using new nutrition funding to feed children who attend its two community schools — Ruth Hooker and Robert Smith — on a more regular basis.

(All of the schools in the division ran breakfast programs and stocked extra snacks prior to 2024-25, and they continue to do so.)

“Homemade lunchables,” featuring kielbasa, crackers, cheese and yogurt tubes, are a favourite among students in the division.

“It’s very rewarding. You get to make a difference in kids’ lives. Some of the kids we’re cooking for, this may be the best meal they’ll have in an entire day,” said Hogan, adding they’re trying to introduce students to different cuisines, from Mexican to Greek.

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt touted the program as one that’s collaborative and student-centred.

The division is granting volunteer credits to high school students who sign up to spend their lunch-hour serving younger peers through the program.

A delivery driver co-ordinates with the chefs and servers, all of whom are expected to follow strict food-safety protocols.

Schmidt has yet to review the findings of a winter survey that sought parents’ feedback on the province’s nutrition program, but she said anecdotal evidence of its success is “limitless.”

Ruth Hooker and Robert Smith have both recorded increases in regular attendance since they started serving lunch.

Combined, their average daily attendance rate was 80 per cent in April 2024. That figure was 85 per cent in April 2026.

Superintendent Jerret Long acknowledged his office can’t prove there’s a direct correlation, but he said staff members have been bombarded with positive feedback.

Parents have showed up “in tears” to express their gratitude that free lunches are now a staple throughout the school year, Long said.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca