FAQ

  • Sorry we cannot accommodate you this year, but please follow us on Instagram and you will learn about other programming and when registration begins for summer 2026. Thank you for your interest. The 2025 program is currently full.

  • Our 8-week program delivers nutrition education, food literacy, and cooking skills. You'll gain confidence in the kitchen, exposure to plant-based meals, and a supportive community focused on closing the summer learning gaps and improving food insecurity.

  • Please let the summerlunch+ team know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. We will try our best to provide substitute accommodations for those using grocery gift cards. All meal kits are fixed and cannot be modified at this time. We always encourage substituting ingredients and making recipes of your own as needed! 

  • Once you've joined our program, you'll receive a link and a class code to access Google Classroom. To join, click the link using a Gmail account and enter the code when prompted.

  • Our program is divided into two groups 7-11 and 12+ to allow for content to be targeted to the correct demographic. 

  • Once you are registered for the program, information about how to receive your meal kits or grocery gift cards will be posted in the Google Classroom.

    • Most families will receive a grocery gift card by email at the end of each week, along with a grocery list to shop for the weekly recipes.

    • Families registered at Gloucester (Ottawa) or Thorncliffe (Toronto) will pick up prepared meal kits instead of receiving a gift card.

    • Families in Hamilton will receive physical gift cards that must be picked up in person.

    Please check Google Classroom for details regarding pickup times and days. 

  • No, the program is completely free! All materials, recipes, and Zoom sessions are included at no cost.

  • The summerlunch+ program focuses on building essential food skills, nutrition knowledge, and kitchen confidence through fun and easy weekly recipes. The Advanced Chef program is for returning participants who want to keep learning and growing. It offers 8-week modules that build on basic food literacy and introduce new topics, techniques, and challenges to take their skills even further.

  • You can join Zoom classes using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, whatever works best for your family!

  • We encourage families to attend the live Zoom classes whenever they can, it’s a great way to cook along, ask questions, and connect with other families! But we know schedules can be busy, so if you miss a class, a recording will be posted for you to follow along with. We recommend attending at least 6 out of the 8 sessions, but if you can’t attend you can stay involved by making the recipe at home and posting a photo in the online classroom.

  • Families must participate in at least 6 out of the 8 weeks to continue receiving gift cards. Participation can be through attending Zoom classes or posting a photo of the completed weekly recipes on the Google Classroom.