Edmonton – School food programs ensure kids have access to nutritious meals throughout the school year, while saving families hundreds of dollars on their grocery bills.
Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s Minister of Education, announced an agreement that will enhance and expand Alberta’s school food programs, which currently serve approximately 58,000 kids in participating schools across the province. With this agreement, families in Alberta with two children in school can save an estimated $800 in grocery bills a year on average.
The National School Food Program is a direct investment into the middle class – helping teachers and making mornings a little easier for working families. It is also a safety net for the kids who need this support the most. As part of this agreement, the Government of Canada will invest approximately $42.2 million over the next three years. Alberta will work with school jurisdictions to maximize the impact of federal funding to feed more kids and enhance existing nutrition programs for Alberta’s students. This includes serving healthier meals, ensuring adequate staff for food preparation, and purchasing needed equipment and infrastructure to support program implementation.
Building a National School Food Program that works for families is part of the federal government’s commitment to make life more affordable for families across the country so they can focus on raising their kids. We’re creating more middle-class jobs, building more homes, expanding affordable dental care and creating more affordable child care spots – so they can buy the things they need and save for the things they want.
“It’s simple: we want our kids to succeed, and the National School Food Program is going to help them get there. It makes sure that kids can reach their full potential on a full stomach, no matter where they live. It also helps parents save hundreds of dollars on groceries. This is a big win for families in Alberta.” – Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“With this new partnership with the Government of Alberta, we officially have agreements with every province and territory! The value of our National School Food Program goes far beyond cafeterias and lunchrooms in schools across our country – we’re building stronger communities and supporting working families by making sure that kids have the nutrition they need to succeed.” – Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food