A holistic transformation toward true food literacy at Colonel J.E. Farewell Public School
Posted: July 6, 2026
Categories: nourish to flourish
Located in the heart of Whitby, Ontario, Colonel J.E. Farewell is a vibrant educational community serving approximately 550 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our region is known for its shifting seasons and strong community ties, but like many areas, we face the challenge of ensuring every child has access to fresh, inclusive, and educational food experiences. This year, the “nourish to flourish” grant acted as a catalyst for a holistic transformation of our food culture, moving us beyond simple nutrition toward true food literacy.
The centerpiece of our project is the community garden. We intentionally designed this space to be a mirror of our student body. Along with staples like carrots and zucchini, we are planting bok choy and hot peppers—crops that reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of our families. While our a late, cold Ontario spring challenged our planting timeline and affected local plant availability, the garden has already become a point of pride. It is managed by a dedicated student Garden Club during the year and transitions to a community-led model in the summer, where local volunteers maintain the beds in exchange for fresh produce.
The grant also allowed us to bring the “ecosystem of food” into the classroom. Our Kindergarten and Grade 2 students experienced the wonder of nature flourish through butterfly kits and chick-hatching projects. These weren’t just science experiments; they were lessons in where our food comes from. When a heat lamp failed and a brooder cracked during the critical hatching phase, the grant funds provided an immediate safety net, allowing us to purchase emergency supplies and save the brood. The students didn’t just see a chick hatch; they saw a community care for a living thing.
Perhaps the most immediate impact was felt in our daily snack program where we aimed to Nourish every Learner. With the grant, we shifted from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a model of radical inclusion. We were able to stock gluten-free options and texture-specific snacks, such as soft-baked cookies for students with braces. By removing the barriers of dietary restrictions and “picky eating” labels, we ensured that the snack bin was a place of dignity and belonging for every child.
The true success of the program is best captured by the students themselves. One grade 8 student, reflecting on the new variety in the snack program, shared, “the cookies are my favourite new snack this year. They melt in my mouth and do not get stuck in my braces.”
Through the “nourish to flourish” program, Colonel Farewell has planted more than just seeds; we have planted the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, inclusive, and sustainable food habits.
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