A Promising Step Forward for School Food in Canada

By: Ken-Melvin Bejer, Communications Coordinator, Coalition for Healthy School Food

Students of various ages enthusiastically take part in the Great Big Crunch inside a school gymnasium. They bite into apples at the same time, surrounded by colourful posters and supportive educators.

Imagine a future where every child and every youth in Canada spends their school day nourished, focused, and ready to learn — no matter where they live or how much money their family makes. That future is now closer than before.

The federal government has just published all the National School Food Program agreements with every province and territory, signed as of March 2025. Backed by $1 billion over five years, these agreements lay the groundwork for healthier students, stronger communities, and a more equitable school food system in Canada.

Read the federal-provincial-territorial agreements :Government of Canada – School Food Agreements

This is a turning point — and it’s thanks to years of grassroots advocacy from people in the school food movement from coast to coast to coast.

A Shared Vision for Every Child and Every Youth

The new agreements are built on Canada’s first National School Food Policy, which sets out six core principles: accessible, health-promoting, inclusive, flexible, accountable, and sustainable.

For the first time, federal, provincial, and territorial governments have united behind the vision from the policy: “That all children and youth in Canada have access to nutritious food at school, in an inclusive, non-stigmatizing environment that fosters healthy practices, while strengthening connections with local food systems, the environment and culture.”

Local Priorities, National Progress

While the agreements are united in vision, they offer  flexibility for provinces and territories to meet their specific needs.

For example, Ontario’s plan includes:

• Strengthening the current program delivery system to meet current and unmet demand; 

• Addressing local and regional priorities;

• Supporting Indigenous-led approaches and provincial goals;
  

This balance between national consistency and local responsiveness is key to building inclusive, effective school food systems.

Many agreements also include support for local and regional food sourcing. This helps deliver fresh, nutritious meals while supporting Canadian farmers and strengthening food systems.

A Win for Generations — and for Grassroots Advocacy

The National School Food Program is more than a funding stream — it’s a bold step toward a healthier future for every child and every youth. The positive impacts will be felt in classrooms, communities, and households in Canada. 

But it’s also about something bigger: the legacy we’re building for future generations of Canadians.  With all levels of governments, Indigenous partners and community groups working together to strengthen and grow school food in Canada, we are creating a foundation of health, dignity, and opportunity that will carry forward for decades to come - shaping the kind of country we want to be. 

This progress is the result of years of advocacy led by 380 Coalition members and 152 endorsers, as well as many others involved in the Canadian school food movement. Through program tours, community organizing, policymaker meetings, and media outreach, school food advocates have built powerful momentum.

To every school food provider, parent, student, educator, supporter, and ally who helped make this possible — thank you.

We’ve Come Far, But There’s More to Do

This is a major step, but it’s not the final one.

Many provinces, territories, and municipalities already contribute more than $400 million annually to school food. This leadership has laid the foundation for a strong, cost-share Canada-wide school food program. Now, we need to:

• Increase investments year over year;

• Pass legislation to make school food a permanent both federally and in each province and territory;

• Ensure flexibility for Indigenous, regional, and local approaches;

• Support initiatives like “Buy Canadian” to strengthen local food systems.

• Grow the body of Canadian-based research to demonstrate the far-reaching impacts of school food programs.
  

Only through sustained action can we ensure that the program grows and reaches every child and every youth every day— in every corner of Canada.

Get Involved: How You Can Help

Everyone has a role to play in building the future of school food in Canada. Here's how you can take action:

• Write to your MP: Be a champion for school food and use template letters to call for continued funding and legislation.

• Join the Great Big Crunch: Raise awareness by biting into an apple, a banana, or any of your favorite fruit or vegetable with thousands of Canadians.

• Sign a petition: Add your voice to calls for funding, like Progress Toronto’s petition.

• Support local efforts: Talk to educators, community leaders, and the incredible organizations providing school meals.

• Spread the word: Share stories, facts, and Coalition posts to highlight the vital work being done — and build support for universal school food.
  

Together, we can make sure the National School Food Program becomes permanent and grows into a lasting reality for every child and every youth.