S.N.A.C.K. Program
Supporting Nutrition for All Classes and Kids
How it works
The S.N.A.C.K. Program provides healthy snacks to students at participating schools across Edmonton helping reduce hunger as a barrier to learning and thriving
Healthy snacks for students
The program provides nutritious snacks and food items to schools for their food programs. We target-purchase snacks that are found on Alberta Health Services' single serving list, in accordance with Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth. These items are low sodium, and have no added sugar, and include include shelf stable milk, peanut butter, and fruit/granola snacks
Bulk whole food available
Schools with cooking facilities that are able to prepare meals are also allowed to take eggs, frozen meats, and other items to prepare for breakfast and lunch programs, or for cooking classes
After the Bell Program
Food Banks Canada donors provide us with 7,200 healthy food packs that contain nutritious, child-friendly food, including cereals, crackers, and shelf-stable milk. These packs are then supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables that we purchase with funds from the program. We distribute this food throughout July and August to some of our youth-focused agency partners that have summer programming for children
Some of our partners
The S.N.A.C.K. Program is made possible through partnerships with schools and other youth focused organizations. Please refer to our most recent annual report for a more complete list of these partners
Our local impact
Across Edmonton
Schools and youth focused organizations
108+
Thousands of kilograms of food are shared monthly to ensure no young person has to choose between their hunger and their education. Reliable access to fresh, healthy food gives students the energy to grow, the dignity to thrive, and the stability to focus on being kids
After the Bell
Packs delivered
7,200
Thanks to national donors like Subway, we are able to give out 7,200 healthy food packs with $21,000 worth of fresh fruit and vegetables over eight weeks
Trying something new with
Edmonton Catholic School Board (ECSB)
10 schools
We are piloting a new relationship to leverage stronger buying power. Food orders from ECSB are added to our food purchases. This food is stored in our industrial coolers for the district to access and redistribute
In the community
“The After the Bell program allowed our club to provide support to families throughout the summer months. With children being home during the summer, many families shared that providing additional food was, at times, difficult. It was great to be able to support these families without adding the extra stress of applying for additional food programs.”
BGCBigs
“I’d like to say thank you so much to the people that put the packages together. My children loved the snacks as I cannot afford snacks like this to give to my children. I just get enough income for bills, rent, and food. My children are very happy with the snacks as they haven’t had a lot lately. This really helps me and we even get fruit! Thank you so much.”
Metis Child & Family Services
We have some youth who are couch surfing and currently don’t have a safe place to stay. When they come to our door, we try to give them lots of food to take back with them. Recently, they have started doing odd jobs to generate some income and when asked what they’re spending their money on they always say “food”. It has been really nice this summer to hand them the “After the Bell” bag as I know there is lots of food for them to eat and lots of snacks. What I appreciate is that there are both healthy and comfort snacks in the bags. It’s comforting to know that no matter what they encounter in their day, they have some easy-to-eat, nutritious snacks on hand.
Crystal Kids