The Ontario government has increased its investment in student nutrition programs by $5 million, bringing the total funding for the Student Nutrition Program (SNP) and the First Nations Student Nutrition Program (FNSNP) to $37.5 million for 2025–26. These programs serve over 800,000 students across the province, providing more than 140 million healthy meals and snacks under the SNP and over 1.4 million meals for students in Indigenous communities this school year.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa emphasized that supporting student health and well-being is essential for academic success, highlighting the role of community partners and volunteers in delivering these programs. To further strengthen these efforts, Ontario has relaunched the Healthy Students Brighter Ontario community fundraising campaign, targeting an additional $5 million through collaboration with local businesses and community organizations.
Minister of Education Paul Calandra noted that proper nutrition is critical for students’ growth, learning, and future success. Both programs are implemented in partnership with local agencies, school boards, and community organizations, with volunteers preparing and serving meals in schools. They provide breakfast, snacks, or lunch to school-aged children, supporting both nutrition and academic outcomes.
The programs operate widely across the province, with the SNP active in over 80% of provincially funded schools and the FNSNP offered in 161 educational settings across 66 First Nations communities and 27 urban Indigenous communities. The additional funding aims to ensure that students, particularly those facing food insecurity, have consistent access to nutritious meals.
Key stakeholders, including Student Nutrition Ontario, the Breakfast Club of Canada, The Grocery Foundation, The Schad Foundation, Farm to Cafeteria Canada, and the Ontario Chapter of Coalition for Healthy School Food, praised the government’s investment, highlighting its impact on student well-being, academic performance, and community engagement. Indigenous leaders and organizations also emphasized the importance of this funding in improving food security and supporting student success in First Nations communities.
Overall, Ontario’s increased investment demonstrates a coordinated effort between government, community, and private partners to ensure students across the province have access to healthy food, supporting both immediate nutrition needs and long-term educational outcomes.
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