What the new National School Food Program means for kids across Canada

For the first time in Canadian history, there is a national school food program designed to help ensure more students start the day ready to learn, without worrying about their next meal.

First announced in 2024 and made permanent in 2025, the program directs federal funding to provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to expand and strengthen school meal programs. It is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of additional students across the country, with a particular focus on communities where families are feeling the greatest strain from rising food costs.

The federal government estimates that a family with two children could save up to $800 a year on groceries as the program scales up, offering real relief at a time when budgets are tight and food prices are still a top concern.

Research has long shown that when kids have reliable access to food at school, attendance improves, concentration goes up and classrooms feel calmer and more inclusive. Teachers and youth workers also tell us that a shared meal can be one of the few predictable, positive parts of the day for children experiencing poverty or instability at home.

While the national program sets the stage for more children to receive meals at school, ensuring these meals reach students safely and consistently requires strong local systems. The cost and complexity of running a program can be much higher for some schools than others, especially in remote or under-resourced communities.​

In 2025, Second Harvest was one of 10 organizations selected to receive funding through the federal School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF).With this support, we provided over $2 million in grants to 29 non-profits and charitable organizations that operate or support school food programs across Canada.

Grants are helping organizations expand cold and dry storage, purchase refrigerated vehicles, develop or upgrade food hubs and invest in traditional food sourcing to support culturally relevant programs.

Projects are underway and set to be completed by March 2026. Once their new equipment and infrastructure are in place, these 29organizations are projected to expand their reach from 71,000 to over 350,000 students, ensuring greater consistency, quality and access to nutritious meals for young people across Canada.

At a time when many families are struggling with the rising cost of food, a stronger school food system offers a meaningful source of stability and support for children. With new investments in infrastructure and coordination, more students will be able to count on consistent, nutritious meals that help them feel ready to learn.

‍