School Food
Nourishing students with healthy food at school so they can reach their full potential in the classroom and in life.
Every day, many students in Nova Scotia go to school hungry, affecting their ability to learn, grow, and feel connected to their peers.
In 2024, school food programs in Nova Scotia expanded significantly through a monumental investment by the Province of Nova Scotia in a universally accessible school lunch program.
Following this, Nova Scotia signed on to the National School Food program – a five year $1 billion program that supports provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to expand the reach and impact of school food programs. These investments are a gamechanger for school food, and bring the potential for major positive impacts for youth and the whole province.
Now more than ever, school food programs can be a catalyst to transform food systems in Nova Scotia and ultimately, the experiences that students have at school. Together we can build a school food program that supports all students to be well-nourished and ready to learn, promotes food literacy, and helps drive our local food economy. But this will take time, and a collective effort that includes government, communities, organizations, local businesses, and the private sector.
Through our work in advocacy, awareness building, and food literacy programs,, Nourish Nova Scotia is helping to make our province’s school food program the best it can be.
Our Role in School Food
School Food Fund
The Coalition for Healthy School Food Nova Scotia
The Cookbook Project
Featured Resources
The Benefits of School Food
Across the world, the most impactful school food programs are those that grow over time to reflect the unique school community in which they are operating and build capacity to:
- Provide flexible, locally adapted menus shaped by students, families and local food suppliers;
- Engage students in experiential learning around food within school food programs (ie. providing choice & opportunities for exploration in food selection through models like fresh food carts) and through curricula;
- Support the local food system through seasonal procurement and equitable employment & business development strategies.
Research shows that the benefits of school food programs can be far reaching, including:
- Encouraging the consumption of more fruits and vegetables
- Improving students’ ability to learn and academic achievement
- Enhancing mental, physical and emotional well-being
- Improving food literacy
- Strengthening the local food economy
Learn more about the research around the benefits of School Food Programs:
As part of our “Stories from the Ground” series on School Food, here’s what students and the school community are saying:
“Many families have been struggling to juggle financial commitments, including groceries. Quite often people would say, “I had to pay rent and oil to keep a roof over my head, so little money is left for groceries”. Lunches packed from home were often quick and highly processed, and sometimes quite empty. The School Lunch Program has given parents and caregivers the opportunity to have a hot cooked lunch at school, without the financial stress.”
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Debbie, School Food Lead
“Skyla, a grade 2 student at our school, has been coming to the cafeteria for lunches daily since the lunch program started. While she always had a lunch from home, she wanted to try what we were serving. When food service workers asked her if she didn’t like the lunch she had brought from home, she responded, ‘You guys are just such great cookers!’ Needless to say, Skyla and her comment certainly made our day! We are loving the School Lunch Program: it is a joy to make sure each and every child is getting a delicious and nutritious meal, even if they did not order it.”
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Sonya, Food Services
“The Nova Scotia Lunch Program has dramatically improved our lunchtime at our elementary school. It has created a mealtime family. Our children communicate with food staff and each other concerning the menu, recipes and ingredients. The open dialogue has had a positive impact on the success of the program. Every child is able to access a lunch no questions asked. The pre-ordering windows give us a base to start with and our bulk orders covers the extra few who didn’t order. The stress that used to come with “who will be paying” is gone. Healthy food can be costly. This program has eliminated those concerns for the people directly involved. The recipes are fantastic to work with. All tried and true. Favorites at our school are tacos, pizza, wraps and pasta dishes. I would like to thank all involved in the creation of this program. if i had to measure our success in smiles, we would all get an A+.”
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Melisca, Food Service Lead
“The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program has been an absolute game-changer for our small school. It’s not just about providing meals—it’s about leveling the playing field. Every day, students from all walks of life are receiving nutritious food that fuels their learning, ensuring that no one is left behind. What’s truly special is the variety of foods offered. Many of our students are trying fruits, vegetables, and dishes they might not have otherwise had the chance to experience. It’s opening their eyes to new tastes and encouraging healthier eating habits that will benefit them for years to come. This program has made a real difference in our school community, bringing a sense of equity and opportunity for all students, no matter their background. It’s a wonderful reminder that a full belly leads to a focused mind—and a brighter future for every child.”
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Lee Ann, Principal
“I think the lunch program is going really well! A lot of my friends didn’t used to eat lunch, either because they didn’t want to pack something or they didn’t want to eat at school, but now we all order lunch and eat together.”