To start the 2025-2026 school year, our students participated in the $15 Healthy Snack Challenge. The challenge was designed to teach students not only about nutrition and budgeting, but also about teamwork and leadership.

Working in small groups, students were given a $15 budget to shop for healthy ingredients at a local grocery stores. After walking to the store, they returned to school to prepare their snacks together. Every group had to organize themselves, deciding when to take the lead and when to follow, to ensure their team stayed on track.

The creativity was impressive: Power parfait cups, grilled cheese sandwiches, an Italian-inspired pesto bread spread, different smoothies, and fancy yogurt bowls. All groups (except one, which went over by just 7 cents!) stayed within their $15 budget.

Beyond cooking, this activity was about instilling good habits. By learning to plan meals and make healthy, affordable choices, students saw the value of limiting online food orders and prioritizing nutrition. At the same time, they practiced key leadership skills — communicating, problem-solving, and supporting one another as a team.

A big thank you to No Frills and Loblaws for making this initiative possible and helping us combine health, leadership, financial literacy, and fun into one memorable learning experience!