School Food Innovation SpecialistReports To: Director of Client Strategy & GrowthDirect Reports: NoneJob Status: Full Time, Permanent, SalariedWork Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm, with flexibility as requiredWork Location: Hybrid, with regular work at RFRK, schools, pilot sites and partner organizations (up to five days per week)Compensation: $60,000–$70,000 annually, commensurate with experienceAbout Real Food For Real Kids:Real Food for Real Kids (RFRK) is a growing company on a mission to make real food the standard rather than the exception.A multiple award‐winning company recognized for excellence and innovation, we're a leading healthy catering company for child care centres, schools and camps. RFRK proudly serves nutritious meals and snacks to thousands of children throughout the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area every day. We're well‐positioned for growth into new markets and planning for significant expansion over the coming years.Our team is looking for a curious, resourceful builder to help shape the future of school food. If you are excited by research, relationships and hands‐on pilots that make nutritious meals work for students and schools, keep reading!The PositionAs the School Food Innovation Specialist at Real Food for Real Kids, you will research, design, pilot and evaluate practical food service models built for school‐age children.You will explore students' needs and eating habits alongside the realities of school facilities, schedules, staffing, volunteers and budgets. Working with colleagues and sector partners, you'll turn research and promising ideas into menus, service approaches and operating models that can work across diverse schools. You will design fully subsidized, pay‐what‐you‐can and full‐fee program options.Some of the things you'll get paid to doResearch school food policies, funding, partners and successful approaches in Canada and internationally, translating lessons into practical opportunities.Build meaningful relationships with schools, school boards, school food advocates, governments, community organizations,



funders and researchers.Design adaptable food service models for diverse student populations, schedules, school facilities, equipment and staffing or volunteer capacity.Partner with our R&D department to test meals, portions, menu structures and service formats suited to school‐age students.Plan and lead school food pilots, defining objectives, budgets, partners, roles, timelines, risks and success measures.Visit schools and pilot sites to observe operations, listen to students and program teams, troubleshoot issues and gather feedback.Use participation, satisfaction, operational and financial data to assess what works and recommend what to improve, adapt, scale or stop.Turn pilot insights into clear business cases and repeatable playbooks covering ordering, payment administration, production, delivery, equipment, food safety and service.About YouRequired Education & ExperienceExperience in school or institutional foodservice, program design, operations, innovation, public or nonprofit partnerships, applied research or complex project delivery.College diploma, university degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.Demonstrated ability to take a new program, service or pilot from concept through implementation and evaluation.Strong project management, relationship‐building and communication skills, and the judgment to navigate complex stakeholder environments.Strategic and systems‐oriented thinking, combined with comfort interpreting research, operational and financial information and working hands‐on in schools.Nice-to-haveDirect experience in school food, education, institutional catering, community food programs or public‐sector program delivery.Experience with publicly funded and fee‐based programs,



research partnerships or human‐centred program design.French language skillsWorking at RFRK comes with other perks too:Benefits & Savings ProgramsPerformance‐based annual bonusComprehensive benefits starting on Day 1, inclusive of a Health Spending Account and a Wellness Spending AccountCompetitive RRSP Matching programRESP Matching program for up to 2 childrenFamily comes first! We offer parental leave top‐up programs for new parentsAccess to virtual Healthcare Professionals through our 24/7 dedicated Employee Assistance ProgramFuel your day with the healthy, delicious food we proudly make, served daily in our staff cafeteriaReal Rewards for Outstanding Work - Recognize your coworkers and receive peer shout‐outs through our recognition platform, where points can be redeemed for gift cardsWe Value Fresh MindsGenerous vacation time to support a healthy work‐life balanceEight Wellness Days each year, giving you the flexibility to rest, recharge, and take care of yourselfContinuous GrowthAnnual learning & development stipend to support your professional growthExciting career opportunities within a mission‐driven organizationMentorship program designed to support your career development and long‐term successThis is a newly created position and is currently vacant. We are hiring to fill this new role as part of RFRK's growth.Real Food for Real Kids is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion in our workplace and at all levels of our organization. We strongly encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities.We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.As part of our recruitment process, we use automated tools and artificial intelligence technologies to assist with application review. These tools are used to support, not replace, the hiring team's evaluation of your qualifications and fit for the role.Thanks for your interest in Real Food for Real Kids!Copyright © 2026 Real Food for Real Kids, All rights reserved.

📌 School Food Innovation Specialist (Toronto)
🏢 Real Food For Real Kids
📍 Toronto