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The Coalition’s Pre-Budget Submission: Calling for a Lasting Commitment for Every Child and Youth in Canada

Updated: Aug 21

By Ken Bejer, Communications Coordinator, CHSF


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School food connects us all — in classrooms, lunchrooms, kitchens, and communities. Support for school food programs is a shared commitment to health, learning, and fairness. Over the past year, Canada has taken a big step forward as all provinces and territories as well as Indigenous partners have negotiated agreements and received funding as part of the National School Food Program (NSFP).

This has solidified the foundation for a lasting, pan-Canadian approach to school food based on shared responsibility.

Now, as Budget 2026 approaches, the Coalition for Healthy School Food is calling on the federal government to keep this momentum going and make the National School Food Program permanent.


Why a pre-budget submission?

Each year, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance invites Canadians to share ideas to inform the federal budget. The Coalition’s submission outlines what is needed to ensure that the National School Food Program reaches its full potential and remains a lasting, equitable solution for all Canadian children and youth. These recommendations also guide  the advocacy efforts of our members, endorsers, and partners in Canada. This provides a shared set of goals to rally around in meetings with MPs, media outreach, and program development. This year, we have four key asks for Budget 2026. They build on progress to date and map the path toward a stronger permanent program. 


📄 Read or download the full Pre-Budget Submission PDF here

Recommendation 1 : Fulfill your committed investment of $1 billion over 5 years for the National School Food Program, extend the School Food Infrastructure Fund by investing $20.2 million per year and make the Program permanent through legislation. Solidify Canada’s leadership by joining the 56 countries that have made the School Meals Coalition’s National Commitments.

Budget 2024 marked a historic step with the investment of $1 billion over 5 years to launch the NSFP and a commitment of a dedicated infrastructure fund to support local programs. These funds will help thousands of schools and communities deliver healthy meals. The School Food Infrastructure Fund has received a lot of interest in Canada. We are encouraging the government to continue this important program by contributing $20.2 million to it annually.


Why are we asking this?

The government’s NSFP is an important start. While the current funding is a historic investment, the program’s long-term stability is not yet guaranteed. Without making it permanent by law, communities may face uncertainty that can affect the planning and sustainability of school food initiatives.


Countries around the world such as Finland, the US, Japan, and Brazil have legislated their school food programs, ensuring long-term stability and accountability[1]. By making the NSFP a permanent program, children and youth can have more reliable access to nutritious meals.


We also encourage Canada to demonstrate its leadership and contribute to a growing global movement by joining other leading countries that have made similar commitments to their school food programs [1] .

Why does it matter?

Making the NSFP permanent means communities get steady support to plan and deliver quality meals for years to come — improving children’s health and learning, and strengthening Canada’s leadership in school food policy.

Recommendation 2: Allocate $20 million per year for the Buy Canadian in School Foods Program, as promised in the Liberal Party’s 2025 platform.


The Coalition for Healthy School Food welcomes the federal government’s commitment to the Buy Canadian in School Foods Program. This program would support school food programs in buying more local foods, which helps rural economies, builds stronger food systems, and protects Canadian farmers in a changing global market.[3]


Why are we asking this?

Dedicated funding will help schools provide fresher, local, and culturally relevant food. [3]

Why does it matter?

Investing in local procurement benefits Canadian students, farmers, and communities by bringing fresher, healthier food into schools, creating economic opportunities, and building stronger regional food systems.[3]

Recommendation 3: Provide $500,000 in 2026 to the National School Food Program Research Partnership from already committed NSFP funds, and continue this annual investment to ensure robust and collaborative research as the NSFP expands.


The National School Food Program Research Partnership brings together experts and community members in Canada to track the NSFP’s progress, challenges, and successes through detailed, ongoing research. Their work helps ensure school food programs meet the needs of children, families, and communities [4].


Why are we asking this?

We ask the government to provide $500,000 per year to the National School Food Program Research Partnership so that the program’s impact can be measured accurately and improvements can be made based on evidence. Reliable data is essential to maintain public trust, optimize resources, and adapt the program to serve diverse communities effectively [4].

Why does it matter?

Strong, coordinated research builds better school food programs that are effective, inclusive, and responsive to local needs — ensuring the National School Food Program fulfills its promise now and into the future [4]. 

Recommendation 4:  Expand your funding of the National School Food Program to align with cost-of-living growth, evaluation findings, and emerging needs so as to establish a Program that is consistent with the National School Food Policy's vision and objectives. Based on these considerations, and to at least match the $400 million combined annual investment from provinces, territories, and municipalities, we recommend that Canada plan to increase its contribution to a minimum of $400 million per year in subsequent years.


While the initial $1 billion federal investment over five years is historic, current federal funding provides about 20 cents per student per day. A healthy meal costs around $4.50. Provinces, territories, and municipalities together already invest approximately $400 million annually - see our blog post here. To reach every child, funding needs to grow, keeping pace with cost increases and new needs[5][6].

Why are we asking this?

We encourage the government to increase its contribution to a minimum of $400 million annually over the coming years. This figure is important because provinces, territories, and municipalities already invest roughly $400 million each year in school food programs. For the National School Food Program to truly be universal and effective, federal funding should at least match these combined investments and be adjusted regularly for inflation and emerging community needs[5][6]


Why does it matter?

More funding means every child and youth in Canada will have dependable access to nutritious meals — supporting their health, growth, and learning — no matter where they live[7][8].

Take Action — Your Voice Matters!

The future of school food in Canada depends on all of us raising our voices together:



Together, we can build a Canada where no child or youth goes hungry — where every school meal fuels a brighter future.

References

  1. School Meals Coalition. National Commitments. https://schoolmealscoalition.org/actions/national-commitments

  2. Statistics Canada. (2023). Food insecurity, household population aged 12 and older, by household type and income quintile. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009612

  3. Heart and Stroke Foundation. (2025). Ultra-processed foods cause one-third of heart and stroke deaths. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/what-we-do/media-centre/news-releases/ultra-processed-foods-cause-third-of-heart-and-stroke-deaths

  4. National School Food Program Research Partnership. (2024).

  5. Ruetz, A., & Fraser, E. (2019). National school food program: A short-term opportunity for job creation and economic growth. Science Policy Centre. https://sciencepolicy.ca/posts/national-school-food-program-a-short-term-opportunity-for-jobs-creation-and-economic-growth-2/

  6. Ruetz, A., Fraser, E., & others. (2023). The economic rationale for investing in school meal programs for Canada. Amberley Ruetz Consulting. https://amberleyruetz.ca/assets/uploads/ruetz-consulting_the-economic-rationale-for-investing-in-school-meal-programs-for-canada.pdf

  7. Anderson, P. M., Foster, E. M., & Frisvold, D. E. (2017). Nutrition and cognitive achievement in elementary school children. American Journal of Public Health, 107(12), 1923–1928.

  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). The association between school meal participation and academic performance. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/schoolmeals.htm


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