Our Summer Program.

Why Summer?

For ten months of the year, school food programs provide essential nutrition and support to children. But when school is out, the summer months create a significant gap, impacting children’s health, well-being, and future opportunities. Our summer program bridges this gap, addressing key nutrition and education challenges faced by children and families during this critical time:

Reducing Food Insecurity:

  • Over 220,000 children in Toronto lose access to school-provided meals during the summer. By providing families access to fresh, nutritious ingredients through meal kits or grocery gift cards, we help reduce the burden of these higher food costs.

  • We give meal kits to all participants without requiring proof of income, to eliminate barriers and reduce stigma. Every family is treated equally, creating a supportive, inclusive environment where access to nutritious food is celebrated as a right, not a privilege.

Combatting Summer Learning Loss: 

  • Food insecurity makes students more vulnerable to the “summer slide”—a regression in academic skills during school breaks.

  • Through engaging food literacy and cooking classes, we provide hands-on educational experiences that maintain learning momentum and build practical skills.

Alleviating Loneliness: 

  • Children from lower-income families often face heightened loneliness in the summer, with fewer opportunities for connection.

  • summerlunch+ fosters a supportive community where kids can connect, learn, and thrive together in a fun and engaging environment.

History of Our Program.

Since 2016, we’ve partnered with Toronto communities like Thorncliffe Park, Chalkfarm, Regent Park, Alexandra Park, and St. James Town, providing hot meals, snacks, and hands-on nutrition education in local community centers.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, we transitioned to a virtual program paired with meal kits, allowing us to reach whole families and support them in cooking and learning together at home.

This innovative approach has proven to be more impactful than ever, combining food security with practical skill-building. By 2023, we expanded our program beyond Toronto to Ottawa and Orangeville, extending these benefits to even more families across Ontario.

Together, we’re helping communities thrive through nutritious food and lifelong skills.

summerlunch+ 2024 Impact.

Through surveys and interviews, families and participants shared how our program led to meaningful growth in nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and healthy eating habits. Together, we’re not just addressing summer challenges—we’re empowering children and families with tools for long-term success.

Summer doesn’t have to mean a setback. With summerlunch+, it’s an opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive.

summerlunch+ in the Media.

CBC News 2024

The school year is coming to an end, which means some kids lose their one guaranteed meal a day. This group is hoping to fill the gaps.

Ici Toronto CBC 2023

Un programme de repas subventionnés à Toronto demande du financement à long terme.

CBC News 2023

Founder of summerlunch+ says food insecurity is often forgotten about in the summer months.

Toronto Star 2020

Thorncliffe Park residents dig in and plant their own food.

Leaside Life 2020

Help feed our neighbours!

Global News 2019

Meal program feeds and educates children at Toronto summer camps.

What Folks Are Saying.

  • “I feel so proud every time about myself when I cook for my family especially when I make the tortillas in the pocket and lasagna soup.” — Participant, Thorncliffe Park SL+ at Home Program. 

  • “I got to spend more time in the kitchen preparing meals with my Nana, I enjoyed the fact that my whole family was able to unite in the kitchen and make very healthy foods for the family.” — Participant, Ottawa SL+ at Home Program. 

  • “My child really enjoyed the virtual class tonight. He loved all the recipes and is excited to see what we will be cooking next.” — Community Member, Orangeville SL+ at Home Program.  

  • A special moment I shared with my family while cooking was how we all wanted to try and add different things to the recipes and sometimes, even though they were skeptical about trying out the new foods, they all liked it in the end.  — Participant, Thorncliffe Park SL+ at Home Program.