There’s never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.
Explore Buy BC products
Partnership with Nourish Cowichan
Last updated on March 13, 2025Nourish Cowichan is changing the way schools provide food to students, thanks to a powerful partnership with Cowichan Valley School District (SD79) and Pacific Rim School District (SD70).
Transforming school food programs through community partnership
What started with a repurposed metal shop in the Cowichan Valley has blossomed into a model of food equity and community care, providing better meals, more options and feeding more kids.
The strategy
The partnership began when SD79 leadership recognized the need for school food programs and saw potential in a repurposed space. They reached out to Fatima da Silva, a local restauranteur with a passion for child welfare, and Nourish Cowichan was born as a non-profit food provider for schools in the district.
Nourish Cowichan serves all but one school in SD79 and expanded into the Pacific Rim School District in 2024, providing meals to ten schools in Port Alberni and Ucluelet. The programs rely heavily on dedicated volunteers who pack and deliver meals to the schools each week. Fatima, a chef with a heart for community, is the driving force behind the initiative. “She’s a force to be reckoned with.” Kirsten Nesbitt, Health Schools Coordinator in SD70, said of Fatima.
Fatima da Silva of Nourish Cowichan
In SD79, meals are free for all students, while SD70 uses a pay-what-you-can model, with donations going directly to the program. They rely on Feeding Futures funds and benefit from community fundraising and donations to Nourish Cowichan.
The result
Partnership brings numerous benefits: reduced costs, less waste, increased meal quality and support for local businesses. It’s a testament to what is possible when schools partner with community organizations to deliver food programs.
“I’m most proud of the sustainability of the program”, noted Jeff Rowan, school food coordinator for SD79. After seven years with Nourish Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley School District’s program is well-established and will continue. Meanwhile, colleagues in the Pacific Rim School District are still developing their program but share the same optimism for the future.
For others looking to partner with a community organization, Jeff and Kirsten’s advice is simple: focus on building a strong relationship with open communication. Then they recommend staying flexible and prioritizing small, meaningful changes that build momentum over time.
Learn more about Nourish Cowichan and their community impact in this short documentary.
Number of schools participating in Nourish Cowichan meal programs
Cowichan Valley School District: 21 of 22
Pacific Rim School District: 10 of 12