A new provincial group is working to advance school food programming in New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick School Food Coalition is made up of 29 partner organizations and departments.
Jill Van Horne with Food For All NB said it is a chance for these organizations to work together.
“A space like this is really going to help to connect folks and to share best practices and to help move things forward,” Van Horne told our newsroom.
Van Horne said the founding of this coalition is timely with rising food prices and the recent federal school food program announcement.
Among the organizations involved to date are Food For All NB, Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, Heart & Stroke NB, Food Depot Alimentaire, four school districts and the province’s two regional health authorities.
“New Brunswick has a number of quality school food programs, however, many are limited by their dependence on volunteers, funding from charitable groups, and community support,” said retired University of New Brunswick professor Mary McKenna.
“The need for further action is urgent. We need additional government support for programs and increased funding. That way, all students can access quality programs that support their learning and health.”
She noted that research from other countries shows that investing in school food is a cost-effective social and economic benefit.
Meanwhile, Van Horne said while New Brunswick is the last province to invest in school food programming at a provincial level, there are many proactive organizations in existence provincially and across Canada for the coalition to draw from.
“I’m encouraged that the coalition will be able to draw on the diverse experience and skills of its members to strengthen school food programs that promote education, health, and long-term well-being for students,” she said.
“No matter their income level or health status, all students should have access to a high-quality school food program. The coalition can provide a container for action to catalyze this work.”
Short-term goals for the coalition include helping to gather relevant data related to school food programs and hiring a full-time coordinator.
