Planned free school lunch program in N.S. a ‘great’ step, but questions remain
Global News
Nova Scotia tabled a $16.5-billion budget on Thursday, which included an $18.8-million investment toward developing a new lunch program for students in public schools.
Nova Scotia is gearing up to launch a province-wide universal school lunch program as part of its recently announced 2024-25 budget.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia’s Finance and Treasury Board Minister Allan MacMaster tabled the province’s $16.5 billion plan — which included an $18.8 million investment toward developing a new lunch program for students in public schools. The initiative is expected to launch throughout the course of the next four years.
Becky Druhan, the province’s education minister, described the move as a “historic step” and said students will be granted access to affordable meals in every school once the program is fully implemented.
“We do need to phase our implementation to get it right. We’re starting with a focus on elementary schools,” she said, adding that the first part of the program’s launch will occur when school returns in the fall.
“When it’s completely rolled out, every student across the province will have access to universal school lunch.”
She said the school lunch program will be affordable for all families and free “for those who need it.”
In addition, Druhan mentioned on Thursday that the provincial government will collaborate with community groups and volunteer organizations that already providing similar services at schools in the province.
“Existing school food programs, they are successful because of the involvement of volunteers, communities, donors, and of partners. Those folks bring so much benefit beyond the provision of food,” she said to reporters on Thursday.
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