Toronto’s proposed budget for 2025 aims to enhance funding for school food initiatives by nearly $6 million, according to city officials.
During a press event at Islington Junior Middle School in Etobicoke on Monday, Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the necessity of this funding increase, stating that it would allow more children across a greater number of schools to receive nutritious meals on a daily basis. She highlighted the challenges many residents face in affording food, noting that school nutrition programs play a crucial role in supporting student achievement.
The proposed budget would raise funding from $19.3 million in 2024 to $25.2 million in 2025, a change that is expected to provide meals for an additional 21,500 children across 48 schools, as reported by the city.
“Residents of Toronto are facing difficulties; grocery prices are rising, and for many, life has become increasingly unaffordable,” Chow remarked to reporters during the conference.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child has access to a mid-morning meal by 2026, allowing them to concentrate on their education rather than their empty stomachs. We understand the significance of nutrition; children cannot learn effectively when they are hungry. Access to healthy food contributes to stronger, healthier children, leading to improved academic performance, higher attendance rates, and greater happiness for both children and their parents.”
In November, a report from Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank revealed that over one in ten residents in Toronto depend on food banks. In 2024, there were 3.5 million visits to food banks, a figure that is three times higher than pre-pandemic levels. Notably, one in three food bank users are children, indicating that many are waking up hungry and reliant on these services.
In December, Chow declared food insecurity an emergency in the city, following a motion approved by the Toronto city council during its December meeting. The city will now incorporate this declaration into its Poverty Reduction Strategy, Food Charter, and School Food Program.