Building community, feeding our kids

Transcona

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/02/2024 (689 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The past few months have been busy as your new Manitoba NDP government puts into practice the promises made during the recent election campaign.

One of these promises was to implement a province-wide school nutrition program. When I was working as a classroom teacher and school leader, one of the most effective community building practices a school undertook was the creation of a meal program. At first, these meal programs were focused on providing a breakfast for students as they began their day at school. As more and more of these programs were started in schools, we needed an organization that would provide guidance in menu advice and preparation. Thus, the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba was formed. The CNCM became the leader in Manitoba helping schools and school divisions create meal programs that met the needs of kids and their communities.

The obvious benefit of having a meal program at school is that kids received a nutritious meal to begin their school day, helping them be ready to learn. What we quickly found out was there was another benefit that was just as important and that was it built community. How? We began to see families walk their kids to school before the day began, join in in helping feed not only their child but other children from the neighborhood. Many programs quickly become community meeting places where community members get to know each other. The other benefit was that many of these community members began to volunteer in the meal program, began to apply for jobs with the school division and began to feel even more connected to their schools and communities.

We look forward to our continued partnership with the Child Nutrition Council, with school divisions and with community members as we begin the important work of ensuring all kids and families benefit from the creation of their own local nutrition programs. No child should be hungry while at school and we’re going to work together to ensure all children receive what they need to be successful at school.

Feel free to contact my office at any time for your concerns or ideas for our community. The Transcona constituency office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. You can call at 204-594-2025 or email nello.altomare@yourmanitoba.ca