Gledhill Student Nutrition Program 🍎

Gledhill’s Student Nutrition Program provides students with access to nutritious food and snacks during the school day, helping support their health, well-being, energy and focus.

The program follows TDSB nutrition guidelines, with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits, whole grains and protein foods. It is a universal program, meaning all students can participate, regardless of whether their family makes a financial contribution.

Supported by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS) and Toronto Public Health, the program helps ensure every student has the opportunity to feel nourished and ready to learn.

Our goal is simple: no student should start the day hungry.

How Does the Program Work at Gledhill?

At Gledhill, fruit and snacks are placed in baskets in each classroom, making them available to students throughout the school day. This helps ensure students have access to nutritious options when they need a little extra energy to keep learning, participating and enjoying their day.

The program relies on the dedication of school staff and volunteers. Ms. Ralph helps coordinate and organize the Student Nutrition Program, ensuring that snacks are available to students in classrooms. A special thank-you to Ms. Ralph for the time and care she puts into supporting our students.

Gledhill also receives support from the TDSB Student Nutrition team. Our assigned Nutrition Liaison Officer is Sharon Booy, who can assist the school with program operations, funding, volunteer recruitment and training, parent communications and community partnerships.

How Does It Benefit Students?

Access to nutritious food at school can make a meaningful difference in a child’s day. The program helps provide:

  • Healthy food choices – access to nutritious meals and snacks.
  • Energy and focus – food to help fuel learning throughout the school day.
  • Health and well-being – support for students’ overall health and development.
  • Support for families – helping reduce food insecurity and ensuring students have access to food at school.
  • A welcoming environment – a program where every student is included.

How Can Parents and Families Help?

Student Nutrition Programs receive only partial funding from government sources. Family and community support is important to help sustain the program throughout the school year. There are several ways families can help:

Make a Donation

Families can make a contribution to support Gledhill’s Student Nutrition Program through the Toronto Foundation for Student Success.

Visit the TFSS Student Nutrition Program donation page and select Gledhill from the school drop-down list.

Donations made through TFSS are eligible for a tax receipt issued by TFSS.

Please remember that contributions are voluntary. All students can participate in the program regardless of whether their family contributes.

Volunteer

Volunteers help make the program possible. Opportunities may include:

  • Helping with food ordering and preparation
  • Organizing and distributing food
  • Supporting day-to-day program activities
  • Participating in the Local Nutrition Program Committee

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the school office to ask about current opportunities and requirements.

SNP volunteers must have Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Clearance and complete the required TDSB forms and training before volunteering.

You can also find more information on the TDSB Volunteering page.

Important Information for Families

Participation

The Student Nutrition Program is available to all students, regardless of family contributions. No student is excluded because their family is unable to donate.

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Student safety is important. The program offers nut-free and peanut-free food items and will attempt to accommodate other allergies as much as possible.

Please make sure your child’s allergies, food intolerances and dietary restrictions are recorded in the appropriate TDSB forms:

  • Returning students: include updated information in the annual Start of Year Consent Forms.
  • New students: provide the information in the medical section of student registration.
  • Changes during the school year: contact the school office directly.

Students with allergies should be reminded to participate with caution and ask for ingredient information when needed.

Nutrition and Food Safety

The program follows Toronto Public Health’s Student Nutrition Program guidelines. These guidelines help determine which foods can be served and promote safe food handling.

At least one person on site while the program is operating must have completed the required Food Safety and Nutrition Training for Student Nutrition Programs within the previous two years.

Nutrition Resources and Helpful Links

For families who would like to learn more about the foods offered and the guidelines followed by the program:

Samosa Days at Gledhill! 🥟

As an additional treat for students, Gledhill also offers Samosa Days on selected Thursdays during the school year.

Vegetarian samosas, supplied by Canbe Foods Inc., are offered to all students as a supplement to the existing Student Nutrition Program.

2026–2027 Samosa Days:

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026
  • Thursday, December 10, 2026
  • Thursday, January 14, 2027
  • Thursday, February 11, 2027
  • Thursday, March 11, 2027
  • Thursday, April 8, 2027
  • Thursday, May 13, 2027
  • Thursday, June 10, 2027

Thank you to the Gledhill staff, volunteers and families who help support student nutrition. Every contribution of time, resources or encouragement helps make a difference in our school community!

Please note that Gledhill Parent Council shares this information for families’ convenience but does not organize or administer the program.