IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Barrie Food Bank is excited to announce the kickoff of its School Fuel program in collaboration with the School Nutrition Council of Ontario, and the Pavlic Foundation. This innovative program aims to deliver healthy snack foods to school-aged children in Barrie, addressing the critical issue of food insecurity that affects their ability to learn and thrive.
Numerous studies have shown that when children go to school hungry, it has a profound impact on their energy levels, concentration, creativity, and behavior. Barrie Food Bank recognizes the importance of addressing these challenges head-on by providing nutritious snack options through the School Fuel program.
The School Fuel program is a vital component in supporting the health and education of students in our community. The carefully curated selection of foods includes whole wheat cereals, bread, bagels, ‘Made Good’ granola bars, banana & blueberry muffins, yogurt, milk (including lactose-free options), cheese, eggs, applesauce, apples, oranges, peaches, and diced pears in fruit cups. Participating schools can select the options they want for their students. This diverse range of items allows children to receive the essential nutrients they need each day.
“Sarah Pavlic from the Pavlic Foundation says, “We are thrilled to support the School Fuel program in partnership with Barrie Food Bank and the Student Nutrition Council, Central East. By investing in the well-being and education of our community’s children, we are fostering a brighter future for the next generation.”
Barrie Food Bank manages the logistics for the program locally including ordering, procurement, and delivery to the participating schools. Over 5600 children in 22 local schools in the SCDSB and SMCDSB school boards as well as Conseil Scolaire Viamonde and Simcoe Shores Alternative Schools. are now supported by the program.
Sharon Palmer from Barrie Food Bank says “We believe that no child should have to face the day on an empty stomach. The School Fuel program is our way of helping to ensure children in Barrie have access to a nutritious food, setting the stage for a day filled with learning and growth.”
Barrie Food Bank encourages community members, businesses, and organizations to get involved in supporting the School Fuel program. “Together, we can expand the program to more schools and make a meaningful impact on the lives of local children empowering them to reach their full potential.”
For more information, please contact:
Contact: Sharon Palmer
Executive Director
Barrie Food Bank (705) 725-1818 ext. 224 sharon@barriefoodbank.org
About Barrie Food Bank:
Founded in 1984 on the principles of community compassion, the Barrie Food Bank has been a pillar of support dedicated to alleviating hunger in the Barrie area. Playing a crucial role in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community, our vision is “a community where no one is hungry”. With the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, we continue to grow, adapt, and innovate to address the evolving challenges of hunger. As we face a surge in first-time food insecurity, the Barrie Food Bank remains committed to its mission of providing no-cost food relief to individuals and families in our community and supporting them on their journey towards well-being.
About the Pavlic Foundation:
The Pavlic Foundation is a family-run charity that was founded in 2021 by Sarah and Ian Pavlik together with their children Sophie and Alex, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. The Pavlic Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that aim to increase access to healthy, nutritious food for people in need, and we also provide educational programs and grants to help young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in STEM fields. In addition to their work in education, The Pavlik Foundation also prioritizes improving food security, understanding that access to healthy, nutritious food is a fundamental human right, and they support organizations and initiatives that aim to increase access to food for people in need. info@pavlikfoundation.com
About Student Nutrition Council, Central East: The Student Nutrition Council, Central East ensures that every child can eat, learn, and succeed. They work in partnership with local committees, school boards, public health units, and food procurement partners to meet that goal. They accomplish this by helping to develop and implement healthy student meal programs in more than 675 schools across Central East Ontario; giving students access to healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks at school. These meals are available to every student, regardless of need.
They also assist schools and communities to get food into schools that is safe, nutritious, and affordable, by administering funds from the Government of Ontario, foundations, charities, and corporate partners through our administrative lead, Peterborough Child & Family Centres.
