Our History in The School Lunch Program Initiative

 

Established in 2005, We Are One Lunch Program, Inc. has a deep history in the school lunch program initiative. Branching out of Cathren’s Bon AppΓ©tit, our strong conviction seeks to both uplift individuals out of poverty and provide wholesome meals to children.

It was through community interaction that the issue of food insecurity became a primary concern, and decided that by imparting life skills to individuals, the poverty cycle would finally be broken. Catherine Staal and a group of motivated individuals were prompted to solicit government support and funding for this initiative.

We became fully informed and educated the community on the issues. Drawing inspiration from Focus Hope in Detroit, Michigan, we designed a program model for implementation in Canada. We Are One Lunch Program gained momentum with the backing of supportive political leaders like MP Dave Van Kestern and Focus Hope Founder and Mentor, Eleanor Josaitis.

We Are One Lunch Program leaders continue to foster crucial relationships within communities. Strategic partners and community support are crucial to bringing this initiative to fruition and the program’s success.

Timeline

2017: Our initiative was well-received by the Canadian Federal Government. The Ministry of Families, Children and Social Development embraced the We Are One Lunch Program as part of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy (August 2018), and Catherine Staal was encouraged to apply to sit on the National Advisory Council on Poverty.

2019: The Canadian Federal Government committed to funding a National Nutritious School Lunch Program
2019: Pilot in Chatham, Ontario | Donor Sponsored
3 Schools | 1 Day each: St. Agnes SCCDSB | Ecole St. Catherines – French | Private School

2022: Pilot in Chatham, Ontario | Donor Sponsored
Part of a reconciliation project, providing a pathway to justice for Indigenous children and their families
SCCDSB | 14 Days | 167 Lunches

2024: Pilot Windsor, Ontario | Donor Sponsored
GECDSB | Roseville Public School | 5 Weeks | 5,500+ Lunches

April 1, 2024: Federal Announcement for a National School Food Program committing to $1Billion over 5 years

July 2024: Meeting with a British Columbia Senior Advisor

Aug 2024: Meeting with Ontario MP
Aug 2024: Meeting with Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Representative

Sept 2024: Newfoundland & Labrador 1𝐒𝐓 ππ‘πŽπ•πˆππ‚π„ π“πŽ π’πˆπ†π the Federal National School Food Program contract: $9.1M | 3 years | 4,100 students

Oct 2024: WECHU 61 Recipe Approvals
Oct 2024: Manitoba – 2𝐍𝐃 ππ‘πŽπ•πˆππ‚π„ π“πŽ π’πˆπ†π – $17.2M |3 years | 20,000 students

Nov 2024: 6-month MOU signed with Premier Partner, Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor, as our Windsor hub & Training Facility
Nov 2024: Ontario – 3𝐑𝐃 ππ‘πŽπ•πˆππ‚π„ π“πŽ π’πˆπ†π – $108.5M | 3 years | addl. 160,000 students | 9.8M meals/year

Jan 2025: Meeting with Gordon Food Service, our Premier Food Supplier. Agreed to supply/donate to the February 2025 Pilot
Jan 2025: Began RFP Process & NFP consideration

Feb 2025: Pilot in Windsor, Ontario | Donor-Sponsored
GECDSB | Roseville Public School | 2 Days | 500 lunches

Mar 2025: Pilot in Chatham, Ontario | Donor Sponsored Pilot |
SCCSB |St. Theresa of Calcutta School | 2 Days | 1,138 lunches

Apr-Jun 2025: George P. Vanier School requests and proposals

July 2025: Meeting with Ontario Minister to request funding to Pilot 5 GECDSB Board Director-approved schools and 5 Chatham/Kent Schools

Aug 2025: Submitted Request for Proposal for review to Ontario MP for July 2025 mentioned funding