The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is proud to introduce the MNO School Food Program. This program aims to:
- Work progressively toward improved access to nutritious food; and
- Help Métis children meet their nutritional and health needs, develop healthy food-related behaviours and attitudes, as well as food and nutrition knowledge and skills.
To accomplish these aims, MNO will provide support to MNO Citizens for assistance in purchasing groceries through the MNO School Food Program and by promoting learning healthy habits with online learning resources.
Apply to The MNO School Food Program
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) School Food Program assists Métis parents and guardians, with providing for their children enrolled in K-12 Education in Ontario. Independent youth over 16 meeting eligibility requirements will also be considered. Successful candidates will receive support estimated at $400 per child. Note that this amount is subject to change based on program subscription.
It is highly encouraged that families applying to this program also consider taking the Gaples Institute’s Nutrition Education for Teens and Young Adults educational course, which is free and does not require creating an account and will inform users on building good eating habits.
Eligibility
To qualify for the MNO School Foods Program:
- Parents and caregivers of children enrolled in K-12 Education must be MNO Citizens.
- Youth over 16 years old, enrolled in K-12 Education, may either be included in a family application or can apply on their own if they live independently. In all cases, youth over 16 must be MNO Citizens.
- Applicants must reside in Ontario.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this program, please reach out to psesupport@metisnation.org.
Applications for 2025-26 are now closed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- The MNO School Food Program provides food subsidies to families with children aged 4-18 currently accessing the Public Education System in Ontario. This support reduces the amount of money a family pays for food products.
To qualify for the MNO School Food Program:
- Parents and caregivers of children enrolled in K-12 Education must be MNO Citizens.
- Youth over 16 years old, enrolled in K-12 Education, may either be included in a family application or can apply on their own if they live independently. In all cases, youth over 16 must be MNO Citizens.
- Applicants must reside in Ontario.
Yes, the parent/guardian must be a verified MNO citizen eligible for direct support. Youth over the age of 16 must also be MNO Citizens. Please contact MNO Registry (info@mnoregistry.ca) to begin this process for your child(ren).
You will receive a confirmation email that your application was received. Please ensure that the email address used to set up your account is active, belongs to you as the applicant, and is an email address you have ongoing access to.
If you set up your account using a social media site, please ensure the email address linked to that site is one that you have access to and can check quickly.
If you have checked your junk folder and have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours, please contact: Rae Gardner, Supervisor of Education at RaeG@metisnation.org.
No, you do not require receipts. Families will be provided with electronic gift cards from Grocery retailers in their community to purchase nutritional food supports.
Support is estimated at $400 per child. However, please note that this amount is subject to change based on program subscription.
Supports will be provided in the form of a gift card to one of the retail grocery establishments indicated in your application.
Support will be provided twice throughout the school year—once in the fall and once in the new year, following the completion of a short questionnaire.
Yes, you will have to reapply for each year of this program offering.
No, gift cards will be limited to one store per family.
In the event that the program becomes oversubscribed, MNO reserves the right to make determinations ensuring that, of those eligible, children demonstrating the highest need will be prioritized.
The support is intended to be used to supplement the purchase of food groceries.
MNO Citizenship information, birth certificates and household income verification will be required during the application process.
Although subject to change based on program subscription, support is planned to be around $400 per child divided into two separate distributions.
Learning Healthy Habits
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is proud to share the Gaples Institute’s Nutrition Education for Teens and Young Adults educational course. This is a free course that does not require creating an account. We strongly recommend that all applicants to the MNO School Food Program take this course to learn healthy habits for their families to make the most of the support.
MNO Citizens, or who have children enrolled in K-12 Education that complete the Nutrition Education for Teens and Young Adults course will be awarded a gift card! Answer a few questions and send us your course certificate as proof of completion.
Submit your certificate for a gift card!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
No, this course is offered by the Gaples Institute, a physician-led educational nonprofit organization that offers free educational materials on healthy living. We thought this would be an excellent and accessible resource to share with our citizens!
The gift card will be sent digitally.