Photo Courtesy of: Nourish Nova Scotia
If fully utilized, Nova Scotia’s new school lunch program could provide over 13 million meals to students in elementary schools across the province during the upcoming school year.
Set to launch in October, the initiative aims to offer affordable, nutritious lunches to more than 75,000 students. Phase one of the rollout will include all schools with elementary grades offered. Eventually, the province plans to expand it to middle and high schools.
The program is designed as a pay-what-you-can system, allowing families to contribute up to $6.50 per meal or pay less, based on their financial situation. Payment details will remain confidential to ensure privacy.
Throughout the summer the Education Department has been finalizing the program’s logistics in collaboration with schools, regional authorities, and vendors. This preparation phase includes training personnel, installing necessary equipment, testing the online ordering platform, and finalizing the menu options.
Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development emphasized the role of the program in supporting students’ well-being. “We know children learn better when they are well fed,” she stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to making the program accessible and affordable for all families.
The program will roll out in phases, with schools beginning to serve lunches on October 1, 15, or 28, depending on their readiness. Ordering will be available two weeks before each school’s start date.
The menu, which features 40 rotating options, will include daily vegetarian choices and dishes that reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of Nova Scotia’s students. Traditional foods like Acadian chicken fricot and Mi’kmaw l’uskinikn will be offered alongside more familiar options like macaroni and cheese and pizza.
For more information, families can visit the newly launched website, which provides details on the program, including a list of participating schools.
