Apex – No kid should go to school hungry, no matter where they live. In Nunavut, where food prices are among the highest in the country and supply chains are complex, feeding kids at school is not always a simple task. But we must show up for every child in need.
Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, P.J. Akeeagok, Premier of Nunavut, Pamela Gross, Minister of Education for the Government of Nunavut, and John Main, Minister of Health for the Government of Nunavut, announced an agreement that will enable Nunavut to enhance its existing school food programming, which currently serves more than 11,000 students across the territory.
The National School Food Program is a safety net for the kids who need this support the most. Kids in the North, most of whom are Indigenous, face very particular challenges and high food insecurity, and this will help level the playing field and give every child the chance to reach their full potential. As part of this agreement, the Government of Canada will invest approximately $7.6 million over the next three years. This investment will mean necessary upgrades to kitchen facilities, hiring staff, more nutritious meals, and access to traditional foods, such as lingonberries, cloudberries, caribou, salmon, cod – foods that nourish children while keeping cultural connections strong.
Building a National School Food Program that works for families is part of the federal government’s commitment to help 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.
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach. So, we’re making sure kids in Nunavut get the good food they need, including traditional meals that keep them connected to their roots. Every child deserves to grow, learn, and enjoy being a kid without worrying about their next meal.”- Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“We’re working hard to make sure that every child, in every province and territory, can learn on a full belly and reach their full potential. This new partnership with the Government of Nunavut highlights the progress we’re making, and our commitment to working with local partners to address different regional needs and make our National School Food Program a reality for Canadian families.”- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food