Exciting news! Nunavut is the first territory to announce an agreement with the federal government under the National School Food Program.
Under this agreement, Nunavut will be receiving approximately $7.6 million dollars to enhance their school food programming, which will benefit the more than 11,000 students across the territory. This investment will mean necessary upgrades to kitchen facilities, hiring staff, more nutritious meals, and access to traditional foods, such as lingonberries, cloudberries, caribou, salmon, cod – foods that nourish children while keeping cultural connections strong.
This investment will take pressure off families and ensure that nutritious food gets in student’s bellies so they can focus on what matters most: learning and growing. It will increase equitable access and help level the playing field for kids in the North, most of whom are Indigenous and are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity.
Negotiations are well-advanced across Canada as we work to sign more agreements with provinces and territories to continue the expansion of school food programming across Canada. More announcements will be made in coming weeks.
Budget 2024’s investment of $1 billion dollars over five years includes distinctions-based funding for First Nations on-reserve, Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty and Self-Government agreement holders. We are working directly with Indigenous partners on the rollout of that funding, with more information to come.
“Providing students access to healthy food in schools can make a huge impact in retention and graduation rates. I have seen firsthand the importance of breakfast programs in getting our kids to school and the difference it makes when students enter the classroom with full bellies. I look forward to more opportunities to partner with the Government of Canada on initiatives that support the wellbeing of families and communities and address the rising cost of living.” – The Honourable P.J. Akeeagok, Premier of Nunavut
Please find the official news release here:
