Ministers flip pancakes at St. John CES as province boosts student nutrition funding
Oct. 10, 2025
St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough was buzzing with excitement Friday morning (Oct. 10, 2025) as it welcomed two provincial ministers for a major announcement on student nutrition programming.
Principal Mark Collins, joined by Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board Director of Education Stephen O’Sullivan and Board Chairperson Kevin MacKenzie, proudly showcased the school’s long-running breakfast program — one of Peterborough’s first and most established hot breakfast initiatives — which continues to feed hundreds of students each morning.
Before making their announcement, Ministers Michael Parsa (Children, Community and Social Services) and Paul Calandra (Education) rolled up their sleeves and joined student volunteers in serving fresh fruit and hot pancakes to students.
The ministers then shared the news: a $5 million increase to Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program (SNP) and First Nations Student Nutrition Program (FNSNP). The new funding brings the province’s total investment to $37.5 million this year, supporting more than 800,000 students and delivering over 140 million healthy meals and snacks across Ontario schools.
After the announcement, the ministers toured classrooms, including an Ojibwe language lesson, before visiting several other classes to see learning in action at St. John CES.
“Students deserve every chance to succeed, and that starts with proper nutrition,” said Calandra. “By increasing our investment in Ontario’s student nutrition programs, our government is taking action to ensure more students have access to healthy meals that help them learn, grow and give them the support they need to succeed now and in the future.”
For St. John CES, the announcement highlighted the strength of a program that has become a cornerstone of daily school life for more than three decades. Each morning, hundreds of students gather for a sit-down breakfast before the bell — a warm, welcoming space where nourishment is paired with belonging.
