Programs & Services - Fuel Up! School Lunch Program - Subsidy | School District 40

Fuel Up! Subsidy

Eating healthy food helps children to do better in school.

To ensure that no child goes hungry, and every child eats healthy while at school, short and long term lunch subsidies are available to families through Fuel Up!

We invite families who find it difficult to provide healthy meals for their children due to financial hardship or other special circumstances to complete a confidential application for a school lunch subsidy.

Do I qualify for a subsidy? Click here and learn more.

Does my family qualify for a subsidy for the school nourishment program?

Residency Requirements

A parent or guardian must be:

- - A resident of B.C. (you must have a current B.C. address)
  - A Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection

Reason for the request

Parents must provide one of the following reasons for requiring subsidy:

- - Loss of job (regular income)
  - Low income (see below)
  - Attending school
  - Participating in an employment program
  - Looking for work (only one parent or guardian)
  - Living with a medical condition that interferes with your ability to care for your child
  - You have been referred by a Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency social worker.

Examples

The family provider has recently lost their job and the family financial resources are stretched.
The family is living below poverty in British Columbia: A family of four is impoverished, according to Statistics Canada, if it has an annual after-tax income of $41,866 or less, including all money from government programs such as the federal child benefit payment. The family does not receive a living wage in BC: A living wage in BC is the hourly rate required for two working parents to meet the basic needs of a family of four. Currently, the minimum wage in BC is $12.65/hour, but the living wage in metro Vancouver is $20.91/hour.
A family that is receiving additional social support including a referral to Quest.

Subsidies are available for families who have significant financial need such that they struggle to provide a healthy meal for their child(ren) while at school. The Subsidy Form below requires that you provide a short statement of financial or other needs that impact your family in such a way.

Subsidy Form: Click on the icon

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I request a subsidy?

Fill out the subsidy request form.

2. Will people know I’m receiving a subsidy?

Subsidies will be completely confidential. The School Nutrition Coordinator and your principal will be the only staff members made aware of your subsidy request.

3. Will my child receive a different lunch than those children who are not receiving subsidies?

No. All students will have the ability to order the same meals, regardless of ability to pay. All meals will be labelled and delivered in the same way so that other students and school staff will not know which meals are subsidized.

4. How much will I need to pay?

We ask that you commit to pay what you are able. We understand that for some families, a full subsidy (i.e. no cost to the family) will be needed. We also understand that your ability to pay may change month to month.

5. My child has allergies. Can they still receive subsidized meals?

Yes, your child can still received subsidized meals. Our caterer’s website provides a list of common allergens. Please order those meals that meet your child’s needs.

Please note that, while every effort will be made to provide allergen free meals, common food allergens are all utilized in our caterer’s kitchen. Cross contamination is always a possibility. If your child has severe allergies, we recommend packing a meal from home.

6. How will I know if I have been approved for a subsidy?

You will receive an e-mail confirmation from our School Nutrition Coordinator.

7. If I have a partial subsidy (i.e. I pay a portion of the cost of my child’s school lunch), when do I pay the money I have committed to pay?

Your portion of meal payment is due when placing your child’s school lunch order. All orders must be made by Friday for meal delivery the following week.

8. What do I do when I don't need a subsidy anymore?

We appreciate that family circumstances change. Email Fuel Up! with your new circumstances. Families who don't need the subsidy are helping other families to be able to provide healthy lunches.