Special event fuels bodies and hungry minds in Waterloo [Video]

Hundreds of students in Waterloo enjoyed a free meal as part of a pilot project.

Nutrition For Learning, an organization dedicated to universal food access and food literacy, provided a farm-to-classroom experience on Friday thanks to the help of an unnamed local funder.

Students at Centennial Public School were offered bowls of fresh soup prepared by Chef Thompson Tran and Grand River Collegiate Institute culinary students. The soup was made with locally sourced ingredients.

But organizers say the project is about more than just a healthy meal.

“We truly recognize that food insecurity across the region is a real thing,” principal Steve Sherlock said. “Certainly here at Centennial as well, we strive to provide supplemental food to every single student [during] both nutrition breaks every single day.”

Friday’s soup also served as a reminder about properly fueling young learners. Nutrition for Learning discretely sends meals and snacks home with children …