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What’s for Lunch in Nova Scotia Schools?
Thanks to the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program, elementary, middle, and junior high students across the province are enjoying delicious meals from a vibrant menu of nearly 60 dishes, sparking excitement and curiosity about food. By introducing young learners to new ingredients and flavours, the program has the potential to inspire appreciation for how food is grown, harvested, and prepared.
In celebration, Nourish Nova Scotia—one of the provincial government’s youth food literacy partners—is launching a new cookbook, What’s for Lunch? Nova Scotia Recipes to Cook and Enjoy Together. This resource encourages families to cook together, strengthening cooking skills and understanding of food systems while celebrating connections between school and home.
At first glance, the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program may look rather ordinary. Families can order lunches from an online menu, with favourites like pizza, hamburgers, mac and cheese, and tacos. Depending on the facilities at each school, meals may be prepared onsite or by a vendor and delivered in time for lunch.
Look closer, though, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Provincial investment and support have created a confidential pay-what-you-can model where every student from pre-primary to junior high is entitled to meals regardless of ability to pay, and without stigma. As of October 2025, the program will be available to about 104,000 students in 355 schools. Nova Scotia leads the country in school food investment, which impacts student learning and creates ripple effects on families, communities, and the province.
Lunches are made from scratch by a team of dedicated cooks every school day, some earning higher wages than before. Using recipes developed by cafeterias across the province and Nourish Nova Scotia, they prepare dishes that are tasty, locally sourced, and meet nutrition standards. Meals are accompanied by colourful fruit and vegetable sides and, in some schools, salad bars.
Woven into the menu are meals from the cooking traditions of diverse Nova Scotians. Chicken shawarma, fishcakes with baked beans, and hearty soups with lu’skinikn are offered regularly and growing in popularity. Since the 2024 launch, 4.7 million meals have been served!
Now, with students interested in cooking what they eat at school, Nourish Nova Scotia has teamed up with Nimbus Publishing to create What’s for Lunch?—a joyful cookbook filled with family-friendly recipes for favourite meals like Handmade Pizza, Butter Chicken, and Picnic Plates. Each recipe includes tips for toppings, sides, and swaps.
The book also shares stories of inspiring people behind the program, local food features, and fun facts to spark curiosity. Illustrated by local artist Emma FitzGerald and students from Oxford School in Halifax, it’s designed for new cooks, young chefs, and families learning together. All proceeds support healthy eating programs across Nova Scotia, including breakfast and snack programs, cooking clubs, and school gardens.
The cookbook launches online on October 7th at nourishns.ca/ns-school-lunch-cookbook.
With an official launch at NourishFest on October 19th at Halifax Brewery Market.
Here's a quick sneak peek into the cookbook!
