Healthy meals for kids, savings for families in Prince Edward Island
School food programs make life easier. They provide healthy meals to kids throughout the school year. They also save working families hundreds of dollars in grocery bills.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced an agreement with the Government of Prince Edward Island to increase school food programs in the province. This agreement, under the federal government’s National School Food Program, will provide over 1,500 more kids with healthy lunches, and over 800 more kids with healthy breakfasts and snacks this school year. With this agreement, a two-child family in Prince Edward Island will save $800 in grocery bills a year on average.
This initial federal investment of approximately $7.1 million over three years will help families and keep more money in their pockets. This investment will also support critical program needs like food transportation, storage, and preparation equipment. All in all, this will result in an estimated 438,000 more meals served to kids across Prince Edward Island this school year.
Our National School Food Program is a direct investment into the middle class – helping teachers and making mornings a little easier for working families. It is also a safety net for the kids who need this support the most. We’re going to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders to ensure every child in Canada has the food they need while at school.
The National School Food Program is part of the federal government’s work to put more money in your pocket. Last week, the Prime Minister announced a tax break for all Canadians. With a GST/HST exemption from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, across the country, this tax break will save families money on things like groceries and kids clothing. We’re creating more jobs, building more homes, expanding affordable dental care, and giving every Canadian a tax break – so they can buy the things they need and save for the things they want.
Quotes
“Today’s school food agreement will get healthy school lunches, breakfasts, and snacks to thousands of kids on the Island and reduce hundreds of dollars in grocery bills for families. With the tax break for all Canadians and now the school food agreement with Prince Edward Island, our government is putting more money in your pocket.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Prince Edward Island has been a leader in delivering school food programs, with our province-wide ‘pay-what-you-can’ lunch program set to deliver over one million meals in 2024-25. This new federal investment recognizes the success of our existing programs and allows us to do even more. By expanding our breakfast and snack programs and creating centralized food hubs, we will strengthen the efficiency and reach of these programs, continuing to provide nutritious meals that support Island students and families.”
— The Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island
“It’s clear that the government is prioritizing the well-being and health of kids in Canada. We know that access to healthy food can make all the difference in a child’s day. That’s why we’re building a National School Food Program, because kids learn better on a full stomach. Today’s agreement is another important step that builds on our shared goal of ensuring that kids in Prince Edward Island get the meals they need to excel in school so that they have a fair shot.”
— The Hon. Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“My wife Frances was a teacher, and it broke both of our hearts when we heard about kids going hungry at school. This announcement is an investment in our future. It means that more children will have access to a nutritious meal so they can focus on learning, and I know it will make a real difference in the lives of so many Island families.”
— The Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
