New Kitchen Opens in Saskatoon to Serve 1,000 Student Meals Daily

Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) has inaugurated a new production kitchen designed to prepare approximately 1,000 meals each day for students across nearly 60 schools within the district. Located inside Lakeview Church, the kitchen officially opened on October 6, 2023. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure equitable access to nutritious food, significantly contributing to the overall well-being of students.

Addressing the importance of this project, Kim Stranden, chair of the SPS board, emphasized the link between hunger and learning. “Hungry students can’t learn,” Stranden stated. “This kitchen is an investment in our children, in education, and in our community. It will make a real and lasting difference for students who rely on school meals each day.”

The establishment of the kitchen was made possible through funding from the federal government’s Healthy Canadians and Communities program and the School Food Infrastructure programs. Additionally, support from the SPS Foundation and contributions from community partners such as CHEP, Lakeview Church, and the University of Saskatchewan played a crucial role in bringing this project to fruition.

Supporting Student Nutrition Across the District

SPS indicates that the new kitchen will function as a central hub for meal preparation and coordination, particularly in schools where access to food has been problematic. With SPS being the largest school division in Saskatchewan, serving nearly 29,000 students and employing around 3,300 staff, this initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the community.

The kitchen is set to streamline meal production, ensuring that students receive healthy and balanced options daily. SPS aims to alleviate food insecurity among students, which is often a barrier to their academic success.

Through this innovative approach to food provision, Saskatoon Public Schools is not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also fostering a supportive environment conducive to learning. The new kitchen represents a commitment to enhancing student health and educational outcomes throughout the region.