Students across Ontario will benefit from millions in additional funding that will continue to provide them with access to healthy meals and snacks.
The province announced it is investing another $5 million this year in the Student Nutrition Program and the First Nations Student Nutrition Program, which provides more than 600,000 school-aged children with healthy snacks throughout the academic year, bringing the total funding this year to $38 million.
This influx of funding will allow the program to continue supplying nearly 90 million nutritious breakfast, snacks or lunch options for students in an effort to support learning by improving both their physical and mental health.
“Proper nutrition is an important foundation for academic success, and students should have access to healthy and nutritious food to support their growing minds and bodies,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
The Ontario government is also partnering with the Arrell Family Foundation, the Breakfast Club of Canada, the Schad Foundation, the Grocery Foundation and Student Nutrition Ontario to launch the Healthy Students Brighter Ontario campaign. To start the campaign, The partner organizations have raised $1.67 million and will continue work with local groups and businesses to fundraise a combined goal of $10 million, including the government’s investment.
“As food prices continue to rise and the need for Student Nutrition Programs continues to grow, it has become increasingly challenging for programs to keep up with demand. As well, securing donations and volunteers at the local level has become a challenge,” said Student Nutrition Ontario Chair Catherine Parsonage. “This $5 million investment from the Province of Ontario has come at a good time and is greatly appreciated; it will help programs provide much-needed nourishment for children right across our province.”
Funds will be split between the Student Nutrition Program and the First Nations Student Nutrition Program, which will receive $750,000 of the total amount announced.