Nanaimo school trustees want to know how many students are coming to school hungry.

A review of the district’s school meals program found the number of meals provided fell from 1,200 per day at its height to 600, with an additional 60 snacks.

Jamie Brennan, school board chairman, said the drop is because many schools now have food programs supported by community agencies, rather than targeted district funds.

“It would be important for us to calculate the extent of the service we’re providing,” he said. “It’s considerably decentralized.”

Bob Esliger, district principal of student support services, said Georgia Avenue, Bayview, North Oyster and Fairview elementary schools have on-site meal programs delivering 450 total meals per day.

Nanaimo Foodshare Society caters an additional 150 meals and 60 snacks per day to other schools.

In addition, many schools provide other programs supported by local agencies or businesses, and use district funds to support students with clothing and supplies.

“The need, we believe, is greater than this,” said Esliger.

One problem is the signup of students for the program, he added. Students must be identified as in need by teachers, school administrators or parents, and pride could prevent the latter from coming forward and asking for help.

Esliger said identifying students in need could also have the effect of stigmatizing them among their peers.

Other challenges include rising food costs and new nutritional guidelines, said Esliger. Schools can no longer serve a ham sandwich on white bread – now it must be fat-free turkey on multigrain.

Parents sign up and pay for the meals program based on ability.

Esliger said when 1,200 meals were delivered per day, they were delivered universally to all schools and the result was a lot of food waste.

By allowing schools to decide how much funding for vulnerable students goes toward meals and requiring a sliding pay scale for the meals program, the district can ensure that meals are only going where they are needed.

Brennan said the district continues to see a need to play a role in providing students with food, but also sees a gap in government support to needy families.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com