Students will have better access to healthy foods thanks to a provincial government partnership with Food Depot Alimentaire and local farms.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson says $550, 000 will help supply food to students in breakfast programs.
“They’re(parents)trying to get them(students) out the door and they’re trying to hurry and get ready so sometimes just grabbing a bite to eat is stressful in itself. Then, you’ve got young people who have food insecurities at home and they don’t have food for breakfast. Then you have people who are concerned about body image, and they don’t want to eat because of their concern that they are going to be gaining weight.”Johnson says
The funds will support 110 schools in the Anglophone East, Anglophone West, Anglophone South and Francophone South school districts.
“They’re trying to get them out the door and they’re trying to hurry and get ready so sometimes just grabbing a bite to eat is stressful in itself. Then you’ve got young people who have food insecurities at home and they don’t have food for breakfast. Then you have people who are concerned about body image, and they don’t want to eat because of their concern that they are going to be gaining weight.”
Food Depot Alimentaire already works with more than 50 schools in the Anglophone East, Anglophone West and Francophone South districts in supporting a free breakfast program. Through the organization’s local food buying strategy, this new partnership will allow local farms to play a larger role in providing nutrition to students in need.
“Dealing with common delivery of breakfast is very social but it is also ensuring that nutritious food is arriving in our children’s bellies and that they are getting a common start and a good tank full of energy to start the day so they can focus on the task at hand,” Johnson adds.
Other existing community partners, such as the Breakfast Club of Canada and the Brewer Foundation, will be invited to support the rollout of programming. The funding will go toward the provision of foods such as milk and other dairy products; eggs; fruits and vegetables; cereals and grains; and condiments.
“I’m pleased to see this crucial program is being expanded and that students will be able to enjoy healthy local food,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson. “It’s important that the younger generation knows where their food comes from. This initiative aligns with our Local Food and Beverages Strategy and encourages folks to Grow NB, Buy NB and Feed NB.”
