N.S. school lunch program returns this fall with new menu, improved ordering system

Nova Scotia's school lunch program will be available in all elementary, middle and junior high schools this year. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotia announced Wednesday its school lunch program will return this fall with an expansion to include all elementary, middle and junior high schools.

The lunch program will also include new menu options and changes to the ordering system.

In its first year, the program served more than 4.7 million lunches to students across the province.

“This year’s school lunch program is expanding to more schools, ordering is easier than ever and our updated menu has something for everyone,” said Brendan Maguire, minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “We are doing everything we can to make life easier and more affordable for families, and part of that is making sure the Nova Scotia School Lunch program meets the needs of students across the province.”

The new menu features more kid-friendly options, such as chicken nuggets with wedges and mac and cheese.

The ordering system for the lunch program has been improved so families only need to select their school and confirm their child’s name, a news release from the province said.

“Partnering with Nova Scotia means more kids can now count on a healthy lunch at school and more parents will see their grocery bills go down,” said Anna Gainey, federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “This will give children the chance to thrive and make life more affordable for families across the province.”

The start dates for the lunch program are listed online by school along with the new menu items and answers to frequently asked questions.

Families will receive a message about when and how to order. The ordering window at 290 schools that have lunch programs starting on Sept. 8 or Sept. 15 can order starting Wednesday at noon.

The province is investing $80 million into the 2025-2026 school lunch program.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page