NATIONAL SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM
Healthy meals for kids in Manitoba

When children have access to healthy food, they do better in school and are set up to succeed.

The federal government's generational investments like the Canada Child Benefit, which provides families with up to nearly $8,000 per child, per year, help cover the costs of essentials children need. We're building on this support by providing healthy meals at school, so children have what they need to learn, grow, and succeed regardless of their family's circumstances.

On October 18, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, alongside the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, announced that the governments of Canada and Manitoba have reached an agreement to expand school food programs in Manitoba. This agreement, made possible by the federal government's $1 billion National School Food Program, will enhance and expand Manitoba's existing school food programs to provide meals to about 19,080 more kids every year, starting this school year.

Manitoba is the second province, after Newfoundland and Labrador, to sign an agreement with the federal government for the new National School Food Program. This agreement includes an initial federal investment of approximately $17.2 million over the next three years to ensure more kids get the nutritious food they need to thrive. 

The federal government invites all provinces and territories to help more kids get access to school food by reaching these agreements. It is one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support families, and care for the next generation.

With an investment of $1 billion over five years, the National School Food Program will feed up to 400,000 more kids across Canada every year. This is a generational investment, especially in the most vulnerable children, who are most impacted by a lack of access to food. Through October 18's agreement, the federal government is helping children across Manitoba reach their full potential.

"Giving our children the best start in life is an essential part of fairness for every generation. Today's agreement with Manitoba will ensure that over 19,000 more children get the food they need at school, starting this year, while saving a family with two kids up to $800 on groceries annually. Our National School Food Program will cut costs for families and help build a Canada where every child is set up to succeed."

- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland,, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

"Kids can't learn on an empty stomach. We made a commitment to Manitoba families that we'd make sure kids across our province had access to food when they go to school, and we've delivered on that promise. Kids across Manitoba can now get a meal or a snack when they need one, so they can concentrate, learn and reach their full potential."

- The Honourable Wab Kinew,, Premier of Manitoba

"It's wonderful to see another province partner with us to deliver our National School Food Program. This agreement with the Government of Manitoba means that more of the top-quality, local food that our hardworking farmers produce will reach kids who need it and help set them up for success in the classroom and beyond."

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay,, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Today, we're delivering a promise to the kids and parents of Manitoba a promise that every child will have access to the healthy meals they need to succeed. It's simple: when kids eat well, they learn better, play harder, and feel good. And for parents, it gives them peace of mind, knowing that their kids are getting the fuel they need to focus on just being kids. We will keep working to make sure that every family across Canada benefits from this program."

- The Honourable Jenna Sudds,, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"Every child deserves the best start in life. And that begins with ensuring that no one goes to school on an empty stomach. I'm incredibly proud that Manitoba is the second province to sign onto our National School Food Program, so we can fill the gap and make sure every child has the chance to thrive."

- The Honourable Dan Vandal,, Minister of Northern Affairs

• In Budget 2024, the federal government launched a new National School Food Program, providing $1 billion over five years, to provide meals for up to 400,000 more kids each year, ensuring all children have the food they need to have the best start in life, regardless of their family circumstances.
  • The Program is expected to save the average participating family with two children $800 per year in grocery costs, with lower-income families benefitting the most.
  • Budget 2024's investment of $1 billion over five years includes distinctions-based funding for First Nations on-reserve, as well as Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty and Self-Government agreement holders. The federal government is working directly with Indigenous partners to rollout that funding, with more information to come.
• On June 20, 2024, the federal government released the National School Food Policy, as the foundation for collaborative and complementary action by all orders of government to improve access to food at school. 
• In addition to the National School Food Program, the federal government launched the new School Food Infrastructure Fund in September, which will deliver $20.2 million to help not-for-profit organizations invest in infrastructure and equipment to support school food programming across Canada. 
• In addition to this $17.2 million federal investment, the Government of Manitoba is investing $30 million to create a Universally Accessible School Nutrition Program for 2024-2025, which will deliver funding through three streams:
  • $15 million directly to Manitoba's 37 school divisions;
  • $6 million to 50 schools in communities with high socioeconomic need; and,
  • $9 million in grants to community partners.
• To give every child the best start in life, the federal government is also:
  • Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit to help with the costs of raising children and make a real difference in the lives of kids in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which is providing up to nearly $8,000 per child in 2024-25, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty since its launch in 2016.
  • Building a Canada-wide system for $10-a-day child care, which has already cut fees for regulated child care to an average of $10-a-day or less in over half of all provinces and territories, and by 50 per cent or more in all others.
  • Rolling out the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which is already available for children under 18, with family incomes under $90,000, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids' teeth and putting food on the table. Families are encouraged to apply online at Canada.ca/dental.

Associated links

• Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
• September 4, 2024: Healthy meals for kids in Newfoundland and Labrador
• September 6, 2024: Minister MacAulay announces launch of new School Food Infrastructure Fund and renewed Local Food Infrastructure Fund to improve food security in Canada
• National School Food Policy
• Giving every child the best start in life