Debbie Marshall is already busy cooking hot lunches for 140 to 200 elementary students in St. John’s by 8 a.m., even before most people start their morning routines. As a head cook for the School Lunch Association in Newfoundland and Labrador, Marshall, who initially volunteered almost 20 years ago, values the meals she prepares daily, such as mac and cheese and lasagna, knowing the importance of providing nourishment to children from families facing financial challenges.
In response to the federal government’s allocation of $1 billion over five years for Canada’s inaugural national school food program, Newfoundland and Labrador became the first province to join the initiative. The program aims to ensure that children receive nutritious meals regularly, especially for those in need. Marshall emphasized the significance of children having full bellies to support their learning in school.
John Finn, the executive director of the School Lunch Association, highlighted the organization’s significant impact, serving over 6,700 meals daily across 43 schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a pay-what-you-can model, the association relies on various sources of financial support to bridge the gap between families’ contributions and program costs.
In British Columbia, Nourish Cowichan, led by Fatima Da Silva, has experienced substantial growth, providing meals for 23 schools in the Cowichan Valley School District. Despite the province’s $214 million pledge to support school food over three years, Da Silva emphasized the need for continued funding to sustain and expand their operations.
Jessica Stephenson, program manager of Niagara Nutrition Partners in Ontario, expressed the challenges faced by school food programs due to rising costs and increased demand. With support from volunteers, the organization serves meals to 24,000 students across 201 schools in the region.
Debbie Field, the national co-ordinator of the Coalition for Healthy School Food, praised recent investments in school food programs by various provincial governments and anticipated further participation in the federal funding program. She emphasized the global trend towards free school lunch programs and highlighted the importance of long-term investments in children’s nutrition.
The initiatives across different provinces underscore the essential role of school food programs in supporting children’s well-being and educational success, emphasizing the need for continued support and expansion of these vital services.