New equipment supports student well-being at Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School
Posted: July 7, 2026
Categories: nourish to flourish
Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS) is the oldest secondary school in Cornwall, Ontario, serving approximately 800 students in Grades 7–12. Located just a short distance from the original Farm Boy store, CCVS has deep roots in the community and serves a diverse student population, including a significant number of students from the nearby Akwesasne Mohawk community. Many of our students and families face financial challenges, making access to nutritious food an important part of supporting student success and wellbeing.
Thanks to the “nourish to flourish” grant, CCVS was able to strengthen and expand our school breakfast program. The funding allowed us to purchase equipment that has significantly improved our ability to provide warm, nutritious food options to students each morning. Key purchases included a commercial-grade conveyor toaster, bagel slicers, a dedicated preparation table, and other supporting equipment that has helped streamline food preparation and service.
Like many schools, we faced some challenges during implementation. Several of the items we ordered were back ordered, which delayed the launch of the enhanced program. By the time all of the equipment arrived, some of the initial excitement had faded, and many students had returned to leaving campus at lunch to visit nearby fast-food restaurants and the local mall. While this created some challenges in rebuilding momentum, the benefits of the upgraded breakfast program became clear once the equipment was fully operational.
The most noticeable impact has been the increased availability of warm breakfast options. Previously, our ability to prepare and serve items quickly was limited by equipment and space constraints. The new equipment allows staff and volunteers to prepare larger quantities of food safely and efficiently, ensuring that more students can access breakfast before the first bell.
Students have responded positively to the improvements. One student commented, “It’s nice coming in and seeing different options every morning. The toasted bagels are way better than just grabbing something quick.” Comments like this reflect the importance of not only providing food, but also creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience that encourages students to participate.
A key contributor to the project’s success has been our breakfast program lead, Krissie. From the beginning, Krissie was enthusiastic about the possibilities the grant created for our students. She worked tirelessly to coordinate orders, organize the breakfast space, and identify opportunities to stretch the grant funding even further. Through community connections and donated items, she was able to save money that could be redirected toward food purchases and program sustainability. Her commitment to ensuring students have access to nutritious food each morning has been instrumental in the program’s success.
While we continue to work on increasing participation and rebuilding daily routines around the program, the “nourish to flourish” grant has provided us with the tools and infrastructure needed to offer a higher-quality breakfast experience. Most importantly, it has helped ensure that more students start their day nourished, welcomed, and ready to learn. At CCVS, that impact extends far beyond breakfast—it supports student wellbeing, belonging, and success throughout the school day.