Online consultation has opened on a national school food policy.
The federal minister of families, children and social development, Karina Gould, is leading the consultation on how healthy food could be provided at schools.
One in five children across Canada are at risk of going to school hungry, the government said, and school meal programs can improve access to nutritious food that helps children grow and learn.
The questionnaire is available until Dec. 16.
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The government said a national policy should consider the diverse realities of children, families and schools and build on any existing programs.
It is also hosting roundtable discussions with stakeholders such as the Breakfast Club of Canada, schools and children to help build the policy.
Gould said she is looking forward to hearing what Canadians have to say about a school food policy.
“When we launched the first-ever Food Policy for Canada in 2019, working towards a national school food program was deemed as critically important,” said agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “Every child, no matter where they live, deserves access to safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food to reach their full potential.”
The policy is part of both ministers’ mandates from the prime minister.
According to the 2020 Canadian income survey and a 2021 report on household food insecurity, 16 percent of households in 10 provinces experienced some level of food insecurity in the previous year. This is about 5.8 million people, including 1.4 million children.
Food insecurity is highest in the north, where 49.5 percent of people in Nunavut, 20.4 percent in the Northwest Territories and 21.2 percent in the Yukon reported moderate or severe food insecurity.
There are types of school meal programs in all provinces and territories but the government said they only reach about 21 percent of school-age children. The programs vary in cost, type of food and objectives.
The questionnaire and more information can be found at Canada.ca.
