Manitoba second province to sign onto federal school food deal

The federal and Manitoba governments have signed a new agreement to expand access to school food programs, part of a national effort to improve child nutrition and food security in classrooms.

Under the deal, Manitoba will receive $17.2 million over the next three years to support meal and snack programs in schools, especially those serving low-income and high-needs communities.

The funding comes from the $1-billion federal commitment announced in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2024 budget, following sustained advocacy by the federal New Democrats to establish a Canada-wide school food program.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the agreement builds on Manitoba’s own expanded nutrition program, launched last month by the provincial NDP government, which has already set aside $30 million this year to improve access to healthy meals in schools.

Manitoba is the second province to join the federal initiative, following Newfoundland and Labrador, which signed its agreement last month. Officials say discussions with other provinces and territories are ongoing to create a nationwide framework ensuring that no child goes to school hungry.

Education advocates in Edmonton, Surrey, and Brampton, where local food banks have reported increased demand from families, say the federal-provincial partnership is an important step toward tackling child hunger and rising food costs nationwide.