From May 4th to 10th, we’re recognizing Children’s Mental Health Week — and at RFRK, we know that good food = good feelings.
What kids eat can shape how they feel — emotionally, socially, and mentally. Nutritious, balanced meals do more than just fill tummies. They help kids feel grounded, confident, and ready to connect. In fact, research shows that diets rich in whole foods — like fruits, vegetables, and grains — are linked to better mood and emotional stability in children.
That’s why every day, we’re proud to deliver meals and snacks to over 30,000 children across the GTHA — all thoughtfully prepared to support both body and mind. Pretty powerful, right?
🥕 real food for real feelings
Every meal we serve is built on years of hands-on recipe development & experience cooking for kids. Our menus feature a wide variety of fresh, colourful foods that nourish growing bodies and support focus, energy, and emotional well-being.
Some of the feel-good ingredients we serve every day include:
- Whole grains to keep energy steady.
- Iron-rich legumes for growing minds.
- Colourful veggies for fibre & fun.
- Fresh fruits that kids love to reach for.
- Healthy proteins like organic, locally-raised chicken & turkey, MSC and ASC-certified (sustainable) fish and beef raised in pastures without routine hormones or antibiotics.
We’re proud to support healthy eating habits from an early age — the kind that make kids feel good in every sense of the word.
🥣 meal time = safe space!
It’s not just what kids eat — it’s also how they eat.
Predictable mealtime routines help kids feel safe & grounded, and of course, gives them something delicious to look forward to!
Routine can:
- Create a steady rhythm to the day.
- Offer comfort and a sense of security.
- Build positive associations with food.
That’s why RFRK works with our child care partners, guiding them on how to support calm, welcoming mealtime environments where kids can feel safe & thrive!
🌈 food should feel fun!
At RFRK, we believe food should spark curiosity & delight the senses. Our Menu Planning Team is always working their magic, thinking about:
- Bright colours
- Crunchy & cozy textures
- Inviting aromas
We also help come up with real food twists that add nourishing layers to our meals & snacks! For example, our Mac’n Cheese sauce includes puréed carrots! Our Cocoa Beet Loaf is packed with—you guessed it—yummy, naturally sweet beets! We love to take the classics and enhance them with even more goodness, and flair!
🌏 sense of belonging!
Don’t forget all the flavours from around the world! We know how powerful it is when kids see their own culture represented on the plate — or get to try something brand new.
Some of our culturally diverse meals include:
- Filipino Beef Giniling
- Gong Bao Chicken
- Sri Lankan Chicken
- Trinidadian Beef Curry
… and more!
These globally-inspired dishes help more kids feel seen by giving them the chance to introduce new deliciousness to their friends!
With our Real Food Recipes, you can make some of our tasty meals at home, sparking even more joy for your kids. Some of these favourites are already ready to go, and we’re adding more every month. Just subscribe to our newsletter, What’s Cookin’ to gain access.
✨ big feelings start with small choices
Confidence can start with a single bite. When kids are invited to make their own food decisions—like picking between two snacks or choosing what to try first — it gives them:
- A sense of independence.
- The chance to explore at their own pace.
- Opportunities to feel heard and respected.
These everyday choices help build trust in themselves and the world around them.
Tip: Our First Love Campaign is full of fun activities & resources to help kids build food confidence and show independence at mealtime—like happily choosing fruits and veggies and feeling great about it!
🍽️ sharing food = sharing community
We’re endlessly thankful for the child care centres & the ECEs and staff who help turn simple meals into moments of connection. At the table, kids:
- Swap stories
- Laugh together
- Build friendships
- Learn that food is something we share
At RFRK, we’re not just serving food—we’re serving up a healthy, happy future for every child we reach.Got more ideas for how we can nurture mental health through mealtime? We’d love to hear them! Comment below and let’s get the conversation started!