Healthy meals for kids in Newfoundland and Labrador

eAwazHealth

Rocky Harbour – When kids eat well, they do better in school. And when kids do well in school, they succeed. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Furey, recently announced an agreement to expand school food programs in the province. This agreement, under the National School Food Program, will result in 4,100 more kids in Newfoundland and Labrador getting healthy meals this school year.

Participating families with two kids will save an estimated $800 a year, on average. It will mean lower grocery bills for families and school meals for kids – helping them learn, grow, and get the best start in life.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the first province to reach an agreement with the federal government through the new National School Food Program. This initial investment of approximately $9.1 million over three years will help more kids get access to school food. We invite all provinces and territories to reach these agreements – it’s one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support families, and care for our kids.

With an investment of $1 billion over five years, the National School Food Program, announced in Budget 2024, will feed up to 400,000 more kids across Canada every year. The Program will also be a safety net for the kids who are most impacted by the lack of access to food, including lower-income families and some Indigenous communities. Through the agreement announced today, the federal government is helping students across Newfoundland and Labrador to reach their full potential, on a full stomach.

This announcement is good for parents, kids, teachers, and the economy. Alongside this, we’re bringing down the cost of living, building more homes, investing in affordable dental care, and helping every generation get a fair shot.

“The National School Food Program is a game changer. Today’s agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador will get healthy school meals to kids and help parents save hundreds of dollars in grocery bills. It’s one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support families, and make sure no child goes hungry.” – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“In Newfoundland and Labrador, we recognize the importance of helping our young people ‒ the future of our province ‒ reach their full potential. Supporting students with healthy food through this agreement with the federal government will have a massive impact on families across our province, and we are proud to be a leader in the country in this program.” – Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador