We Are One Lunch Program expands school meal initiative in Windsor

School lunch test program expands at a local grade school. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has details.

The We Are One Lunch Program is set to return to Roseville Public School from Feb. 18 to 21, marking the organization’s second school lunch test pilot in Windsor.

This initiative is made possible through strategic partnerships with the Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor and Gordon Food Service.

The program’s latest pilot is funded by the Canadian Italian Business & Professional Association (CIBPA) and its partners, who raised money during the 2024 summer event “Fumo Festa.” Additional financial support comes from Gordon Food Service, the Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor, Nico Taverna and Bacchus Ristorante, and Tony Blaks Union Bakery.

As the program expands, the Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor will serve as the main hub and training facility, while Gordon Food Service steps in as the premier food supplier. Organizers say this partnership is a major step forward in addressing food insecurity among students.

“We Are One Lunch Program chose Roseville Public School again for this short-term pilot to gather continuous data from the last pilot to share with our Provincial Government,” the organization stated.

The first Windsor pilot at Roseville Public School took place from Feb. 20 to March 29, 2024, providing 232 students with free lunches daily. Roseville Public School is part of the Greater Essex County District School Board. The initiative comes at a time when food insecurity is on the rise across the country.

On April 1, 2024, the federal government announced a $1 billion commitment over five years to implement a national school food program. Later in the year, on November 22, Ontario officially signed an agreement with the federal government to receive $108 million over three years for school nutrition programs.

Recent data from Food Banks Canada highlights the growing crisis. In March 2023 alone, over two million food bank visits were recorded, with children accounting for one-third of those seeking assistance. By March 2024, food bank visits had increased by 6 per cent compared to the previous year and surged by 90 per cent since 2019.

According to officials, the We Are One Lunch Program operates as a social enterprise, aiming to address food insecurity by feeding children while also creating jobs in local communities. The organization’s mission is to collaborate with educational institutions, government agencies, and community groups to develop and sustain a national school lunch program.

“We encourage parents, teachers, and students to contact the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to support cooperation and future funding,” organizers said.

For more information and updates on future pilot projects, visit www.weareonelunchprogram.com.