Advocates cautiously applaud province joining nation school food program

The recent deal between the Province of Ontario and the Federal government is good news in the fight to end student hunger.

Ontario has signed onto the Fed’s $1-billion dollar school nutrition program, the third province to do so.

It will provide $108.5 million dollars over three years to supply an additional 180,000 students with over 9.3-million meals.

Currently, there are over 600,000 students in Ontario enrolled in a student nutrition program.

The opposition Conservatives point out there are over 2-million students in this province.

While the funding announcement falls short of ending the youth hunger crisis in Ontario, it is a good start.

“This collaboration between the feds and the province is a monumental step in the right direction for children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region – and right across the country.” said Erin Moraghan, CEO, Nutrition for Learning, a not-for-profit providing school nutrition programs in Waterloo Region.

In the press release, Moraghan goes on to say that although this funding is welcome, it may not have the impact intended. Last year, government funding accounted for 25 per cent of Nutrition for Learning’s revenue. The remainder came through fundraising efforts and community donations.

“During a crisis like this, it’s going to take a village to try and keep our school delivery trucks full.” She said.

Currently, 180 schools in waterloo region operate Nutrition for Learning programs.