Students at Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) will continue to have access to nutritious meals during the school day thanks to a new grant from the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) through its Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP). The school announced the gift on June 19, 2026, calling it a generous commitment to the school community.
“We sincerely thank VON-OSNP for its generous grant in support of our Student Nutrition Program. We are grateful for your commitment to our school community!” the school said in a public statement. The grant ensures that SDSS can keep its nutrition program running smoothly for the more than 1,460 students enrolled in grades 9 through 12.
The VON-OSNP is one of 14 lead agencies that deliver the provincial program across southwestern Ontario. In the Perth-Huron region alone, the program serves 61 schools and provides nearly two million meals and snacks to over 11,000 students every year. The programs are open to all students, regardless of need, and research shows they can improve attendance and reduce disruptive behaviour in classrooms.
Provincial support for student nutrition has grown significantly. In October 2025, the Ontario government boosted its investment by $5 million, bringing total funding to $37.5 million for the 2025-26 school year. That money is projected to deliver more than 140 million meals and snacks to over 800,000 students across the province. Officials say it costs about one dollar per student to provide two food items each week.
SDSS has also taken extra steps to address student needs. Since 2022, the school has operated The Den, a food bank and clothing closet that offers snacks, meals, and hygiene products in a dedicated space. The new VON-OSNP grant adds to those efforts, helping ensure that every student can access healthy food during the school day without barriers.
