Nutrition Programs

Investing in Children believes every child deserves access to healthy food. We embed nutrition into several of our programs, including our HARK (Healthy, Active, Resilient Kids) After School Program, where kids cook and learn about healthy eating at each session and at our Family Literacy and Math Events, where free healthy snacks are always provided. We are also part of a local partnership that helps ensure children receive nutritious foods while at school. Every summer, our Summer Snack Stop Program takes that commitment directly into the community.

Snack Stop Summer Program

Investing in Children is actively finding ways to provide nutritious food to children and youth in our community. We realize that once the school year and school food programs finish, 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 Summer 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, Friendship 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 2026, we experienced an increase, delivering 53 bins each week, resulting in 25,558 FREE nutritious snacks provided over the summer!

A History of Summer Food for Kids
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.
IIC launched our Summer Snack Stop Program on June 26, 2018, noticing an even greater and more widespread need for free healthy snacks for kids during the summer months. At that time, we started with 8 bins. The need and the program continue to grow. In 2026, we purchased, packed and delivered 53 bins and bags each week throughout the city.

Children’s Nutrition Network

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 emergency funds for food and equipment to sustain and enhance school nutrition programs. Last year, during the 2025-2026 school 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. 
The end of Children’s Nutrition Network
In 2026, our partner, the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP), received government funding with a mandate to establish a local London partnership. This new initiative would involve the same partner organizations as the Children’s Nutrition Network (CNN). Running two parallel tables would duplicate efforts and cause competition for limited community resources.
Consequently, the IIC Board of Directors voted to cease Children’s Nutrition Network as of June 30, 2026.
While we are saddened to close a network that has supported local schools since Investing in Children's inception in 1999, we believe this decision is the most responsible choice for our community.

Here are a few avenues to look into to secure third-party funding to support your school nutrition program.

  1. MayCourt of London- Call 519-439-4811 or email to enquire about available funds – LONDON only

  2. Wal-Mart Corporate Giving Application - online application

  3. President Choice Children’s Charities - online application

  4. Costco Community Grant - online application

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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, Cargill and Jill’s Table.


Thank you to our partners who sat on the Children’s Nutrition Network with Investing in Children for their years of dedicated service: OSNP London Middlesex, Middlesex-London Health Unit, TVDSB, LDCSB, City of London CYN and Growing Chefs.

For questions or more information on Summer Snack Stop, please contact Sarah Finch at sfinch@investinginchildren.on.ca or 519-433-8996 ext 1.