Nutrition Programs
IIC has always had a strong commitment to providing free food for kids since the inception of the organization. Children’s Nutrition Network (CNN) started almost 30 years ago by Kids Count, which became a part of IIC when IIC was founded in 1999. IIC chaired and housed the CNN partnership that provided emergent funds for food and equipment to sustain and enhance school nutrition programs. Last year, $50,000 worth of grocery gift cards were provided to schools for purchasing food, $4,907 in funds were allotted for food and $15,093 in equipment to support school food programs.
IIC began the Summer Breakfast Program in 2010. This program provided nutritious snacks to area-based summer camps run by the City of London. IIC team members visited the camps and prepared fresh, healthy snacks for the campers. This program amalgamated with Investing in Children’s Summer Snack Stop Program in 2021 after COVID.
IIC launched our Snack Stop program on June 26, 2018. At that time, we served 8 locations
Snack Stop Summer Program
Investing in Children has been very active in discovering new and innovative ways to provide nutritional food – especially for the start of a youth’s day. We also realize that once the school year and the OSNP and other school food programs finishes the need for a nutritious start to a child’s day remains vital. Hunger does not take a holiday.
With this in mind, Investing in Children initiated a program called the Snack Stop, where once a week, our staff purchases, prepares and delivers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other healthy snacks to numerous locations throughout the city during the summer including Libraries, Community Centres, Family Centres, Resource Centres, City of London Summer Camps and City of London Public Pools etc.
Snack Stop started in 2018 with a pilot program with eight locations. The program has been very well received and continues to grow. In 2025, we experienced an increase delivering 49 bins each week, resulting in 24,235 FREE nutritious snacks provided over the summer! This year, 2026 we have 54 locations!
Children’s Nutrition Network
The Children’s Nutrition Network (CNN) is the local contact group for OSNP London/Middlesex student nutrition programs. CNN supports the nutrition programs by assisting with start-ups, accessing additional funding through the ministry and other local funding sources and by supporting a community-wide network of schools and agencies that provide programs, resource materials and training workshops for programs and volunteers.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are close
Please note: CNN funding is provided to London Middlesex schools only. While priority is given to OSNP schools, CNN also serves schools not funded by OSNP. Only one application per school per school year will be considered. Typically, a maximum of $1,000 is awarded per school.
Investing in Children’s CNN Program is in partnership with: OSNP, Middlesex-London Health Unit, City of London, LDCSB, TVDSB and Growing Chefs.
Ontario Student Nutrition Partnership
The Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) provides funding and a network of support to help schools across the province implement a healthy snack, breakfast or meal program for students in their community. The funding is funnelled through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and goes to 15 lead agencies across the province. In Southwestern Ontario, the lead agency is The Victorian Order of Nurses.
Here are a few avenues to look into to secure third-party funding to support your OSNP program for the school year!
MayCourt of London- Call 519-439-4811 or email to enquire about available funds – LONDON only
Wal-Mart Corporate Giving Application - online application
President Choice Children’s Charities - online application
Costco Community Grant - online application
Children’s Nutrition Network and Snack Stop are possible due to the generosity of our funders: London Food Bank, Maple Leaf Community Fund through London Community Foundation, Lutheran Social Services London, and Cargill
Thank you to our partners who sit on the Children’s Nutrition Network with Investing in Children: OSNP London Middlesex (co-chair), Middlesex-London Health Unit, TVDSB, LDCSB, City of London CYN and Growing Chefs.
For questions or more information on Children’s Nutrition Network or Summer Snack Stop, please contact Sarah Finch at sfinch@investinginchildren.on.ca or 519-433-8996 ext 1.
