Sherwood Secondary School shows how funding helps improve reliability of school food programs
Posted: July 5, 2026
Categories: nourish to flourish
At Sherwood Secondary School, the “nourish to flourish” grant has made a meaningful impact on our school nutrition program and the students we serve each day. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Sherwood Secondary School serves approximately 1,200 students in Grades 9 through 12. As the needs within our school community continue to grow, access to reliable and nutritious food has become increasingly important in supporting student well-being, focus, and success in the classroom.
Our school’s nutrition program provides breakfast and snacks daily, along with sandwiches two to three times a week. The program is open to all students to ensure that anyone in need of support has access to food in a welcoming and stigma-free environment. Over time, student participation in the program has continued to increase, creating a greater need for food storage and organization.
Thanks to the $1,000 “nourish to flourish” grant, we were able to purchase a new freezer for our nutrition program. While simple in appearance, this addition has had a significant impact on our ability to support students consistently and effectively. The freezer has expanded our storage capacity, allowing us to purchase food in bulk, store a greater variety of fresh and frozen items, and better manage inventory to meet growing demand.
One of the most valuable benefits of the freezer has been the ability to take advantage of sales and bulk purchasing opportunities. This has helped stretch our budget further while ensuring students continue to have access to nutritious food options throughout the school week. The additional storage has also reduced the stress of limited space and improved the overall organization and efficiency of the program.
The impact of the grant extends beyond the equipment itself. The improved access to food has helped create a more supportive school environment where students know they can rely on the program when needed. Whether a student arrives at school without breakfast, needs a snack during the day, or benefits from a sandwich at lunch, the program plays a key role in helping students feel cared for and ready to learn.
One teacher involved with the program shared, “the new freezer has made a tremendous difference for our nutrition program. We are now able to provide more variety and consistency for students, and we can better respond to the increasing need within our school community. It may seem like a minor change, but the impact on students has been huge.”
The “nourish to flourish” grant has strengthened our ability to support students in practical and meaningful ways. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue building a nutrition program that promotes health, inclusion, and student success at Sherwood Secondary School.