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.
For over a decade, school food programs in Nova Scotia have continued to grow. Today, students can access breakfast, grab a snack, and, in many cases, choose a hot lunch. These programs are vital for supporting student well-being and ensuring students are ready to learn.
In 2024, school food programs saw significant expansion with the launch of the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program.
Shortly after, Nova Scotia signed on to the National School Food program, alongside other Canadian provinces and territories. These investments build on more than a decade of ongoing efforts to support and sustain school food programs in Nova Scotia and beyond. They have dramatically reshaped the school food landscape—and we’re proud to be part of this transformation.
While Nourish Nova Scotia doesn’t deliver the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program directly, our efforts to strengthen school food programs continue. Through our partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, we are working to:
- Capture & Share Stories that highlight the importance and impact of school food programs – for students, school communities, and our province.
- Create Opportunities for Student & School Engagement to encourage feedback and promote involvement in school food programs.
- Coordinate Funding and Partnerships that enhance school food infrastructure and foster deeper connections to the broader local food system.
- Deliver Food Literacy Initiatives that promote experiential learning and positive experiences with food in school environments.
Now more than ever, school food programs can catalyze long-term change across Nova Scotia—where more students thrive at school because they are well-nourished, where food serves as a vehicle for learning about health, community, and the environment, and where school food helps drive a more resilient local food system.
Featured Resources
- Food Literacy, School Food
Guide to Starting a School Cooking Club
- School Food
Food Literacy Education Guide
- School Food
Nova Scotia School Food and Beverage Standards
The Benefits of School Food
Well-nourished students are ready to learn, have more energy, and don’t get distracted by hunger. And, when students have opportunities to learn about food at school, they become equipped to make healthy, informed choices about food that can benefit them as they grow into adults with families of their own.
Across the world, the most impactful school food programs are those that evolve to reflect the unique communities in which they operate – maximizing benefits for students, families, and school communities.
Research shows that the benefits of school food programs can be far reaching, especially when they are designed to:
- Provide flexible, locally adapted menus shaped by students, families, and local food suppliers. Wherever possible, offer opportunities for choice and exploration in food selection (e.g., salad carts).
- Create opportunities for students to engage in food literacy education and experiential learning around food.
- Support the local food system through thoughtful menu design and the inclusion of local foods.
Read More:
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.”
–
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.”
–
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+.”
–
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.”
–
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.”