NEWS RELEASE
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES FOR CANADA
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WINDSOR – Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds announced that the governments of Canada and Ontario have reached an agreement to expand and support school food programs in the province.
VON’s Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) congratulates the provincial and federal governments on this important step, which will allow program administrators like OSNP to build on and strengthen crucial school food programs.
We know that when kids are well nourished, they do better in school. And when kids do well in school, they are set up for success. That’s why VON’s OSNP is celebrating this new step towards increased access to nourishing snacks and meals in schools right here in Ontario’s Southwest.
In April, the federal government announced a new National School Food Program – with an investment of $1 billion over five years, to provide meals to 400,000 more kids per year, as well as help provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to expand existing school programs. Here in Ontario, the announcement today will allow for 160,000 additional children to receive nourishing snacks and meals by the end of the school year.
“Inflation and other affordability pressures have created added challenges for families and the need for robust school food programs is at an all-time high,” says Heather MacArthur, VON Associate Vice President, Home and Community Care. “This investment will provide a much-needed boost to offset the growing demands and ensure that students can continue to access nutritious meals and snacks at school.”
Many students are arriving at school hungry, for a variety of reasons. Currently in Canada, one in four children are at risk of going to school on an empty stomach. The federal government is building on existing support from the province so children have what they need to learn, grow and succeed – regardless of their family’s circumstances.
Studies have demonstrated a wide range of benefits associated with school food programs, including supporting children’s physical and mental health and development, as well as improved learning outcomes and behaviours.
Providing universal access to nourishing food at school can reduce food insecurity and social stigma. School food programs can also support Ontario farmers and food businesses while contributing to Ontario’s agri-food sector and supporting local business.
VON’s Ontario Student Nutrition Program Southwest Region provides funding and support to over 450 school food programs in the communities of Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, London-Middlesex, Sarnia-Lambton, Oxford-Elgin, Huron-Perth and Grey-Bruce. Each year, over 120,000 students access nourishing snacks and meals as part of this program. In addition to government funding, OSNP relies heavily on community donations.
The Student Nutrition Program in Ontario operates as a cost-shared model. Government funding is essential to leverage additional support, which largely includes community donations. Community participation will continue to be necessary to ensure the sustainability of school food programs.
“While these new funds are a big and important step, school food programs will still need support from our generous donors and partners to continue,” says MacArthur.
Ontario is the third province, after Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba, to sign an agreement with the federal government for the new National School Food Program. Today’s agreement includes a federal investment of $108.5 million to Ontario and First Nations Student Nutrition Programs over the next three years to ensure more children receive the nutritious food they need to thrive.
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