School Meal Program
Squamish CAN is excited to announce the launch of a new School Meal Program!
This meal program will advance climate action, support family affordability, and offer another way for students to engage with local food systems, complementing our existing local food policy and school garden programs.
In launching this program, we join several community-driven programs in BC offering universally available and healthy meals to youth, regardless of family income or background. As members of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, we continue to push for healthy school food programs that are tangibly linked to experiential learning opportunities, climate action and local economic development.
We are excited to partner with the Sea to Sky School District to support breakfast and lunch programs for the SD48 schools in Squamish. This collaborative program is also bolstered by the District of Squamish through a partnership agreement that provides a five-year lease to use the 55 Activity Centre Commercial Kitchen and additional support.
Also on this page:
Nina LaFlamme Photography
Meet Our Head Chef
We couldn't be more proud to introduce our head chef, Michael Staveley. A local dad and a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver, Michael has time under his belt—or maybe his chef’s hat—at several notable eateries, including Fairmont and Rosewood hotels and the Westin Whistler. He was the Head Chef of Catering and Events Operations at the Sea to Sky Gondola, and consulting chef for House of Lager.
Nina LaFlamme Photography
Program Enrolment
The School Meal Program will cover the Squamish elementary schools within SD48 and St’a7mes School (K-12). Don Ross Middle School will be served later in the academic year.
Menus will feature nourishing, delicious, and sustainable foods, featuring local farmers and plant-forward menus. We will host information sessions and events throughout the school year to inform future menus – watch this space for more details or follow us on social media. View October's menu here and October's menu for École Garibaldi Highlands Elementary here.
SD48 is distributing information directly to parents and sign up is done through each school. Please look for emails from the school district or contact your school's administration team.
For any other questions about school meal, please contact your School Meal Coordinator: mealprograms@sd48.bc.ca
Donations & Fundraiser
This is a cost shared program supported by the Ministry of Education and Childcare’s Feeding Futures Program. While this funding provides crucial support, community contributions are essential to bridging the gap and keeping the program running sustainably.
A suggested contribution amount for families on the program is $120 month per student (~$6 per meal). Our program operates on the principle that everyone is welcome and nobody will be turned away for financial reasons.
We are also currently fundraising for a vehicle and welcome community contributions. Learn more here. If you are a business, please contact Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director, for sponsorship opportunities.
If you are an individual or family and wish to donate and receive a tax receipt, please visit this donation link on School Cash Online (no account is needed).
Get Involved
We are calling on community members, local businesses and farmers. This is a community-powered program. If you believe in feeding kids and caring for the planet, we invite you to be part of this movement. Help us cook up a school meal program that any community would be proud to serve.
Launching Fall 2025, we will be looking for volunteers to help with meal preparation, packing and distribution (no prior experience necessary; we will train you)
Contact our Head Chef to learn more. Tell him a little about yourself, if you have any kitchen experience, and when you are available.
Media
“We are proud to be able to assist Squamish CAN in helping to provide nourishing meals to our children across the District. On behalf of Council and District Staff, we send our gratitude to all the staff at Squamish Helping Hands for the work they have done to make the school meals program possible these last eight years, and to Squamish CAN for taking on this important role. It is heartwarming to live in a town where so many community-driven organizations help make Squamish the wonderful place that it is. When community partners come together, anything is possible.”
– District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford
"Since 2017, the school meals program has been a very important part of our community-led solutions to create a safe and healthy community for everyone in Squamish," said Lori Pyne, Executive Director of Squamish Helping Hands. "It is with great confidence that we transition operations to Squamish CAN as we know they are committed to an integrated approach founded on environmental integrity and shared responsibility to feed vulnerable children and youth."
– Lori Pyne, Executive Director of Squamish Helping Hands
“We are thrilled to partner with Squamish CAN to ensure students in our Squamish schools have access to delicious, nutritious food. This program is a major step forward in supporting student well-being and achievement. We remain committed to providing food programs in all communities served by the district and are excited to grow and enhance these services in the years ahead.”
– Chris Nicholson, Superintendent, School District No. 48
Our Partners and Supporters
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Educators take an interdisciplinary approach with lots of hands-on learning opportunities for their students and community members.
To expand and encourage sustainable agriculture and food production in our region
We bring together organizations, businesses, government representatives and community groups, to share perspectives and address challenges in our local food system.