‘Long overdue’: Windsor leaders applaud permanent national school food plan

The federal government has decided to make the national school food program permanent across the country. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell shares what this means.

Windsor residents and education advocates are welcoming the federal government’s plan to make Canada’s national school food program permanent, calling it an overdue investment in children’s health and learning.

The Carney government announced on Friday that the program will receive $216 million in annual funding beginning in 2029, making permanent the initiative launched by the Trudeau government with $1 billion over five years starting in 2024-25. The national plan aims to feed about 400,000 students each year.

Windsor city councillor Renaldo Agostino said the move is long overdue.

“It’s about time. This is long overdue,” Agostino said.

“People don’t understand how important a good meal is. This is so important for our country and so important for our kids. I think it’s a great thing. Being healthy is the most important thing you can be when you’re growing up, when you’re getting old, to get your brain working properly, to get your mind working properly.”

He added that mental health issues and other relevant issues are talked about, but this is a good place to start.

“How about starting with a good meal, making sure people are healthy and happy? That’s what something like this can do. So, I’m very excited to hear that the federal government is taking this position.”

Erin Roy, president of OSSTF District 9, said educators have been advocating for a program like this for years as families struggle with the rising cost of food.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Roy told CTV News.

“There’s a serious need in our schools, especially since the pandemic, with the increased cost of living and food prices. For those people living on the margins, this will be a huge help to them and feeding their families.”

She added that ensuring students have access to healthy meals improves both learning and well-being.

“There’s so much data to support that students that have good nutrition are going to do better overall,” she said.

“It’s always heartbreaking for an educator to see someone who maybe doesn’t have a lunch with them that day.”

Lasean Hardy, president and COO of the We Are One Lunch Program, said the commitment to permanent funding represents meaningful progress.

“This is a collective step towards caring for every child’s well-being, good nutrition, fuel, learning, confidence and hope,” Hardy explained.

“When paired with strong provincial partnerships and community-based implementation, initiatives like this can help ensure that every child has the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Several Windsor residents also expressed support for the program.

“It’s good because a lot of kids go to school hungry and they can’t function,” said Mike Wilson.

“That little bit of food makes them think better.”

“Some kids have no food at home to eat,” said Merri Steed.

“For them to go to school and be able to eat gets them learning better too, because they have food in their belly. Their brains work better.”

Carmen Smith called it “a great idea,” adding, “Nobody should be hungry.”

The federal government said the permanent funding will build on existing school nutrition efforts led by provinces, territories and community partners, with details of implementation to be released in the coming years.