Alberta joins national school food program to provide healthy meals for students

Alberta’s government has signed a $42-million agreement with the federal government to expand school nutrition programs, ensuring students have daily access to nutritious meals.

Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, and Alberta’s Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides, ratified the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program Agreement, which will spend over $42 million in federal funding over three years.

The initiative will supplement Alberta’s existing School Nutrition Program, offering students meals that adhere to the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth.

“Ensuring students have access to proper nutrition is a priority for our government,” said Nicolaides. “No one learns well on an empty stomach – that’s why we are partnering with the federal government to feed more kids in more schools and fund new and innovative nutrition programs.”

The agreement is designed to help students perform better in school while easing the financial burden on families.

Sudds emphasized the program’s benefits for both students and parents.

“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.”

If passed, Budget 2025 will allocate an additional $20 million to Alberta’s School Nutrition Program. This will help provide healthy meals to over 58,000 students annually in participating schools across the province.

The flexibility of Alberta’s program allows school boards to use funds to address the specific nutrition needs of their students and families while fostering connections with community organizations and non-profits.

The agreement has received strong support from advocacy groups and education organizations.

Judith Barry, co-founder and director of government relations for Breakfast Club of Canada, praised the announcement.

“Breakfast Club of Canada and its partners applaud the government of Alberta for joining the other 10 provinces and territories in signing the National School Food Program agreement! This announcement demonstrates the willingness of all stakeholders to provide necessary nutrition for children as soon as possible and is an important step towards fostering the well-being of Albertan families.”

Alberta’s School Nutrition Program has previously funded initiatives such as providing nutritious meals and snacks to students, offering nutrition education for families, and purchasing necessary food preparation equipment.

Marilyn Dennis, president of the Alberta School Boards Association, expressed appreciation for the new funding.

“Alberta School Boards Association extends its sincere thanks to the governments of Canada and Alberta for their commitment to the health and well-being of students through the signing of this agreement. This funding for school food programs will help ensure more children and youth across the province have access to healthier meals essential to learn, grow, and succeed in school and life.”

The Alberta government will work with school boards participating in the School Nutrition Program to ensure smooth integration of the new federal funding while maintaining flexibility in spending.

Budget 2025 continues to prioritize education and health investments, lower taxes for families, and economic support, reflecting the province’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and success.