Food Needs ETSB Schools

Meeting the food needs of students in Eastern Townships’ schools

Pictured is Rachel Hughes, cook at Sutton Elementary School, alongside some volunteers with Racine Pop after a busy lunch hour serving students. Photo: Holly Bailey.

By Taylor McClure
Townships’ Daily News
CIDI 99.1 FM
Published on 16/02/24 - Played on 14/02/24

As food prices continue to increase, ETSB (Eastern Townships School Board) parents, educators, and staff are working together to ensure that students have access to affordable and healthy food at school. 

Claudia Pérez-Levesque is the president of Racine Pop, a non-profit group formed by parents in 2022 to provide affordable and nutritious meals to students at Sutton Elementary School –  twice a week – after the cafeteria service came to a halt. 

After receiving additional financial support from the local community, including the Town of Sutton and the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi, this year Racine Pop has hired a cook to serve students subsidized meals three times a week and there are plans to grow the program. 

According to Pérez-Levesque, Racine Pop is in communication with other schools in the area that are interested in the initiative with hopes of providing meals to their students too. 

Listen to the full interview below: