Food and Nutrition Management

If you possess a passion for food, a strong inclination towards nutrition and healthy eating, and take pleasure in leading people in a fast-paced environment, Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Food and Nutrition Management diploma program would be an excellent fit for your career path! This nationally accredited program is an excellent choice to equip you with the necessary skills to thrive in a supervisory role that blends the dynamic food service industry with the evolving healthcare sector.

One of the unique features of the FNM program is the emphasis on nutrition. You will learn about changing dietary and nutrient needs throughout the lifecycle and how those changes affect health, particularly for seniors at home and in long term care settings. You will also learn how to conduct nutrition assessments and modify foods to fit therapeutic and specialized diets. This focus on nutrition ensures that graduates are well-equipped to put nutrition on the menu, an increasingly important aspect of food and nutrition management.

The program also focuses on diversity. There will be chances for you to acquire knowledge and contemplate (de)colonization, the viewpoints, traditions, and culinary practices of Indigenous nations in Canada, as well as actions to contribute to reconciliation through food. Your programming recognizes that food is medicine, which can go a long way towards healing.

One of the key features of the program is our community partnerships. We maintain strong relationships with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which allows students to participate in work placement experiences in the second year of the program. We have also built strong partnerships within the community and have incorporated these partnerships into your programming by way of quantity food production for elementary schools and the Friendship Inn and in-services and communication skill development with the Global Gathering Place. This highly regarded aspect of the program allows you to gain real-world experience in the field and build industry contacts.

By enrolling in our program, you will have the opportunity to learn from our experienced faculty members who possess extensive industry experience and knowledge in nutrition, menu planning, food production, and customer and employee relations, thereby helping you develop the skills needed to become a leader in foodservice management.

Graduates are prepared to pursue a variety of rewarding careers in food and nutrition management including hospitals, long-term care facilities and retirement homes, hotels, restaurants, post-secondary institutions, remote mine sites, daycares and schools, food service sales and more.

As a student of the program, you will have the opportunity to join student branches of the Saskatchewan Society of Nutrition Managers (SSNM) and the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM). As student members, you will build on your networking skills in the foodservice and hospitality sector and have the opportunity to apply to association-sponsored bursaries and scholarships.
Sask Polytech’s focus is on practical-based, hands-on programming instructed by faculty members with vast industry experience. Our practical training is conducted in a variety of settings, including our culinary labs, simulation center, and community-based partnerships. We even take you to La Ronge and manage a food service operation as your capstone project! 
Diploma graduates can take advantage of the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Management degree with only two years of additional study, right here at Sask Polytech  Remote classes and part-time options are available for students who prefer flexibility in their schedules.

With a Sask Polytech diploma, graduates can also pursue degree programs at Athabasca University in Alberta, or even use their diploma as credit toward becoming a journeyperson cook. Overall, the Food and Nutrition Management program is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a rewarding career in this fast-growing industry.

Career and salary information

Your career

When you graduate, you’ll be able to work as a food service supervisor, catering manager, nutrition manager, diet technician, quality control manager or marketing/sales consultant for a food manufacturer. Look for jobs in the food service departments of hospitals and long-term care homes, private care homes, in hotels, restaurants and catering companies, in primary and secondary schools, colleges, correctional facilities and retirement communities.

Potential careers

Sample job title NOC classification
Food service supervisor Food service supervisors (62020)
Dietary technician Other medical technologists & technicians (32129)
Cafeteria manager Restaurant & food service managers (60030)

This program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutritional Management (CSNM). For directions to become a certified nutrition manager, visit the CSNM website.

Admissions

Admission requirements

Note 

  • Employers and/or supervisors of practicums may require a Criminal Record Check and/or security clearance before you can complete the program requirements. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and/or security clearance are the responsibility of the student.
  • Students will need to have experience with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint prior to entering the program.
  • Practicum experiences are assigned by the Food and Nutrition Management program in partnership with industry partners. There are limited placements at each location. Enrolment in the program will require acceptance of the practicum as assigned and this placement may be outside of Saskatoon.

Alternative admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 250 Reading
  • 245 Writing
  • 4 Writeplacer

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2023-24 academic year

Year 1 - $7,920
Year 2 - $6,390

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

Transfer credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Institution Agreement details
 Athabasca University

Graduates who have completed the specified program at Sask Polytech may receive 30-60 block credits towards one of the following programs at Athabasca University: Bachelor of Commerce (PD), Bachelor of Commerce with Major (PD), Bachelor of Management 3 Yr (PD), Bachelor of Human Resources Labour Relations (PD).

Student awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Accreditation

Canadian Society of Nutrition Management

The Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM) accredits the program, which means your diploma is recognized across Canada. Graduates are eligible for membership in both CSNM and the Saskatchewan Society of Nutrition Management.

Health Care Cook

Hotel and Restaurant Management

Additional information