2026-2027 School Year!
COORDINATOR OPERATIONS GUIDE
Food is more than access. It’s connection, community & BELONGING.
WELCOME TO THE MOVEMENT!
The following information includes practical resources on running and maintaining your school’s student nutrition program. Bookmark this page for future reference!
Thank you for taking on the role of Student Nutrition Program Coordinator. Your leadership helps students access nourishing food in safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments.
This guide is designed to support the day-to-day operation of your program and strengthen the partnership between your school and Nutrition for Learning.
Our shared goal is reliable access to food that supports student wellbeing, learning and a sense of belonging. Food can be a way to connect students to one another and to their school community.
New to Nutrition for Learning?
WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE STUDENTS OF WATERLOO REGION!
As the Lead Coordinator for your school…
Your Responsibilities
✔ Place weekly orders and stay within budget
✔ Receive, verify and sign for each delivery
✔ Maintain proper food storage and safe handling standards
✔ Communicate with the N4L team about significant program or staffing changes
✔ Maintain universally accessible to all students by ensuring the program is welcoming and non-stigmatizing
✔ Support student involvement and community engagement
As your school food providers…
Our Responsibilities
✔ Advocate for sustainable and equitable student nutrition funding
✔ Support schools by providing operational guidance and relationship management
✔ Steward public, donor, and community-funded resources responsibly
✔ Support fundraising and community engagement opportunities
✔ Provide access to food procurement and delivery systems that support your Student Nutrition Programs
✔ Uphold program guidelines as set by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (OMCCSS)
Your Week 1 Checklist
☐ Save N4L contact information, usernames and passwords
☐ Confirm designated delivery location
☐ Identify a backup school contact
☐ Review the school Partnership Agreement (see your Admin)
☐ Bookmark our store for weekly online ordering: shop.nutritionforlearning.ca
☐ Download the 2026-2027 Delivery Schedule
☐ Complete Safe Food Handling certification
Reminder! A Safe Food Handling certification is required for your program.
If you do not have your Safe Food Handling certification, use the provincial training resource linked below. When registering, select the region “Central West” and fill in your school information.
ORDERING THROUGH ODOO
Weekly orders are placed through N4L’s Shop site.
✔ You will receive your username and password in an email
✔ Bookmark the Shop link: shop.nutritionforlearning.ca
✔ Mark your calendars with important ordering dates
✔ Ordering concerns should be emailed to schools@nutritionforlearning.ca
📅 Place your 1st order on Monday, September 14th
📅 Orders open Mondays at 7:00AM
📅 Orders close Wednesdays at 12:00PM*
*Orders submitted after 12:00pm on Wednesdays will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on stock. Orders placed after this deadline may be denied.
To ensure your order meets Ministry guidelines, each order must include at least:
1 Grain
1 Protein
1 Fruit or Vegetable
Please ensure your order follows the Ministry guidelines!
SCHOOL FUNDRAISING
It takes a village to expand school food programs!
Did you know that funding for your program primarily comes from your community? While Nutrition for Learning receives government support, the majority of funds come from businesses, individuals, and foundation funders from right here in your community.
When students get involved with fundraising for their school food program, it helps them build a sense of connection to, and agency with the culture of food and community in their school.
Nutrition for Learning is growing this school year, and we always need your help. If your school is willing and able to host a fundraising event for Nutrition for Learning, please contact schools@nutritionforlearning.ca for your toolkit.
IMPORTANT!
WebTracker Reporting
N4L is taking care of the monthly WebTracker administration again this year.
You do not need to complete the monthly WebTracker reporting yourself.
We will let you know if we any information from your school if the process changes during the year.
ARE YOU RECEVING FUNDING FROM THE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE CHILDREN’S CHARITY (PCCC)?
Questions about PCCC? Email schools@nutritionforlearning.ca
We’re here to support you!
WHEN TO CONTACT N4L
Please contact the School Support Team at schools@nutritionforlearning.ca if…
⚠️ A delivery is missing or incomplete
⚠️ Food arrives damaged
⚠️ Staffing or volunteer changes that affect program operations
⚠️ Your school needs a program adjustment or additional support
⚠️ You have a question or concern about you program
Communication helps us provide operational support and assist with problem-solving before a issue arises. Please email our team or use the Contact page.
Please use the form below to Confirm that you’ve reviewed and understood this guide. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to our team of specialists.
We can’t do it without you!!
Thank you for being a part of the movement! Because Food at School Says We All BELONG!