The Government of Canada has launched a new research funding initiative, the FRESH Team Grant, to support school food programs across the country. Announced by Secretary of State for Children and Youth, Anna Gainey, and Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, the program allocates $12.6 million over three years to strengthen research on the health, well-being, and equity impacts of school food programs. The funding is contributed by Employment and Social Development Canada ($9 million), the Public Health Agency of Canada ($2.7 million), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($900,000), and will support up to 14 grants across three priority areas: overall health and socioeconomic effects, program design and equitable delivery, and programs serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Applicants must register by June 25, 2026, with submissions due by October 7, 2026.
The FRESH Team Grant aims to ensure that school food programs remain guided by applied research and the needs of communities. Secretary Gainey emphasized that the initiative will provide the evidence required to maintain accountability, equity, and accessibility in school food programs, while helping children access nutritious meals to support learning and reduce household food costs. Minister Michel highlighted that addressing childhood hunger is essential to health, development, and educational success, and that research from FRESH will inform policy decisions to improve long-term outcomes for children.
The grant also focuses on Indigenous communities, with CIHR contributing $900,000 to research serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students, schools, and communities. This funding will help build a robust evidence base to ensure programs are equitable, effective, and responsive to local needs. The Public Health Agency of Canada emphasized that FRESH will advance projects promoting healthy eating and accessibility to nutritious foods for children and youth nationwide.
The FRESH Team Grant is part of Canada’s broader National School Food Program, which was legislated through the National School Food Program Act in March 2026 and will receive $216.6 million annually starting in 2029-30 to make the program permanent. Launched in 2024-25 with a $1 billion investment over five years, the program helps up to 400,000 children and youth access nutritious meals while easing household food costs. Research demonstrates that every dollar invested in school breakfast programs generates nearly two dollars in economic and social benefits, confirming the value of these initiatives for families and communities.
The National School Food Program operates through partnerships with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners, with all jurisdictions signing bilateral agreements as of March 10, 2025. It is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, ensuring a coordinated federal approach to supporting children’s health, well-being, and learning through sustainable school food programs.
