The Government of Canada is seeking to build a national food policy on existing efforts and make them stronger by working collaboratively with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and key stakeholders so that the National School Food Program effectively guides the expansion of school meal programming based on common principles and objectives.
The input received through the online questionnaire will help build towards a national school food policy that is responsive to the needs of children and families, while also setting a foundation for a future where more children in Canada have access to nutritious food while at school.
One in five children in Canada are at risk of going to school hungry on any given day. School meal programs can help reduce hunger and food insecurity, improve children’s access to nutritious food, improve academic outcomes and achievement, and help support families by reducing food costs.
A national school food policy needs to consider the diverse realities of children in Canada, and it should constructively build on the programs that already exist. In addition to the online questionnaire, the Government of Canada has launched a series of thematic roundtable discussions with key stakeholders, such as the Breakfast Club of Canada, the Coalition for Healthy School Food, and Ottawa Network for Education, as well as including teachers, school administrators, parents, and youth.
By filling out the questionnaire, you and everyone else who participates will help us develop a national school food policy that takes everyone’s perspective into account.
With your help, we can ensure more and more kids get nutritious food at school and the best possible start in life.
The online questionnaire will be available on the Government of Canada’s Consulting with Canadians webpage from November 16th to December 16th, 2022.
