Ottawa pledges $7M to help expand P.E.I.’s school food program

The federal government has pledged $7.1 million over the next three years to support the expansion of Prince Edward Island’s school food program. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an interview on CBC’s Island Morning show. The funding will be used to make the program “truly universal,” according to Trudeau, with a focus on providing high-quality, nutritious food to children in need.

This financial contribution is part of the federal government’s $1 billion national school food program, aimed at improving access to healthy meals for students across the country. The funding for P.E.I.’s program will result in over 1,500 additional children receiving healthy lunches and over 800 more children having access to nutritious breakfasts and snacks during the school year. On average, a two-child family in Prince Edward Island is expected to save $800 per year on grocery bills as a result of this initiative.

The P.E.I. government currently allocates approximately $6 million annually to the non-profit organization that oversees the school food program on the island. Additional revenue is generated through fees paid by families participating in the program. Despite a 14% increase in demand this year, the number of families contributing financially has decreased. The majority of families (68%) make no payment, while 19% make a partial payment, and only 13% cover the full cost of $5.75 per meal.

In the 2023-24 school year, the school food program served nearly 850,000 meals, a 40% increase from the previous year. While some opposition parties have called for the elimination of fees, the P.E.I. government has stated that it has no plans to do so. Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly has urged the government to make the program free, citing a budget surplus of $70 million that could be used to support this initiative.

During the funding announcement at Mount Stewart Consolidated School, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King emphasized the positive impact of the federal funding on Island families and the provincial economy. The money will be used to establish new food hubs across the province, making meals more accessible and affordable for residents. By sourcing local food, the program not only provides healthy meals but also supports local farmers, stimulates economic activity, and creates jobs in the community.

Last June, the Department of Education initiated a comprehensive review of the school food program, including its funding model. The current pay-what-you-can system recovered approximately 20% of the program’s costs last year. This review will seek to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs of students and families in Prince Edward Island.