Student Photo Voice
Capturing student stories about the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program
Nourish Nova Scotia is engaging students from four schools across the province in a storytelling method called photovoice. Through this approach, students will use cameras to capture and share their perspectives on what matters most to them about the School Lunch Program.
Approximately 30 students across 4 schools in three different regions are participating in the student photo-voice project. Over the course of two weeks, students are being guided through a process to capture photos that reflect their experiences with the School Lunch Program. Afterwards, they will take part in a discussion facilitated by Nourish Nova Scotia and school staff to explore the stories behind the photos they’ve taken.
This project was developed to engage students in a fun and creative way of sharing their unique perspectives. By documenting their experiences through photovoice, we hope to gain deeper insights into the impact of the School Lunch Program and gather valuable input to inform its future development.
Stay tuned to see what photos are captured and read student stories!
As part of our “Stories from the Ground” series on School Food, here’s what students and the school community are saying:
“Many families have been struggling to juggle financial commitments, including groceries. Quite often people would say, “I had to pay rent and oil to keep a roof over my head, so little money is left for groceries”. Lunches packed from home were often quick and highly processed, and sometimes quite empty. The School Lunch Program has given parents and caregivers the opportunity to have a hot cooked lunch at school, without the financial stress.”
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Debbie, School Food Lead
“Skyla, a grade 2 student at our school, has been coming to the cafeteria for lunches daily since the lunch program started. While she always had a lunch from home, she wanted to try what we were serving. When food service workers asked her if she didn’t like the lunch she had brought from home, she responded, ‘You guys are just such great cookers!’ Needless to say, Skyla and her comment certainly made our day! We are loving the School Lunch Program: it is a joy to make sure each and every child is getting a delicious and nutritious meal, even if they did not order it.”
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Sonya, Food Services
“The Nova Scotia Lunch Program has dramatically improved our lunchtime at our elementary school. It has created a mealtime family. Our children communicate with food staff and each other concerning the menu, recipes and ingredients. The open dialogue has had a positive impact on the success of the program. Every child is able to access a lunch no questions asked. The pre-ordering windows give us a base to start with and our bulk orders covers the extra few who didn’t order. The stress that used to come with “who will be paying” is gone. Healthy food can be costly. This program has eliminated those concerns for the people directly involved. The recipes are fantastic to work with. All tried and true. Favorites at our school are tacos, pizza, wraps and pasta dishes. I would like to thank all involved in the creation of this program. if i had to measure our success in smiles, we would all get an A+.”
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Melisca, Food Service Lead
“The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program has been an absolute game-changer for our small school. It’s not just about providing meals—it’s about leveling the playing field. Every day, students from all walks of life are receiving nutritious food that fuels their learning, ensuring that no one is left behind. What’s truly special is the variety of foods offered. Many of our students are trying fruits, vegetables, and dishes they might not have otherwise had the chance to experience. It’s opening their eyes to new tastes and encouraging healthier eating habits that will benefit them for years to come. This program has made a real difference in our school community, bringing a sense of equity and opportunity for all students, no matter their background. It’s a wonderful reminder that a full belly leads to a focused mind—and a brighter future for every child.”
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Lee Ann, Principal
“I think the lunch program is going really well! A lot of my friends didn’t used to eat lunch, either because they didn’t want to pack something or they didn’t want to eat at school, but now we all order lunch and eat together.”