Partnerships and knowledge sharing for sustainable school food systems in Saskatchewan

Introduction: School food program (SFP) delivery that uses a sustainable food systems approach has the potential to provide comprehensive health and nutrition benefits for students and communities. SFPs may be best supported through engagement with multiple sectors and partners, including agriculture, health, and education. This study aims to understand the readiness and priorities of partner organizations from across the food system to work towards sustainable SFP development in Saskatchewan (SK). Methods: A cross-sectional outreach and engagement survey was conducted across food system sectors and partners in February 2024 to inform the development of a SFP knowledge mobilization and partnership plan in SK. The survey was distributed to 321 pre-identified organizational partners across 10 food system sectors currently involved in, or with the potential to support, SFPs. Results: The survey had a 31% response rate (n=97/311). Overall, organizations prioritized improving childhood/youth nutrition, health and wellness andproviding nutrition and food-related education for students and staff.. Support for sustainable food systems more broadly, including environmental sustainability and supporting local jobs, food production, cultures, and traditions, were the least selected answers. Funding was also a gap with more than half of organizations(59%) currently supporting SFPs citing lack of funding as a challenge. Moving forward, 60% of organizations want to be informed about SFPs in SK, and 45% want to collaborate and lead towards improvement. Conclusion: The survey highlights the state of partnership support, priorities, and contributions to SK SFPs and helps build a case for increased SFP knowledge sharing, collaboration, funding, and advocacy. Improving the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of SFPs in SK requires additional funding, political leadership, continued engagement with food system organizations for multi-sector collaboration, and strengthening and harmonizing food systems policies and practices. A province-wide, universal, and sustainable SFP, managed in partnership, that respects local cultures, geographies, and concerns, and leaves the specific operations of each program within the control of adequately resourced local governing structures is a desirable step forward.