There is overwhelming support for a National School Food Policy, according to a report from the federal government. The report from Employment and Social Development Canada says public engagement included different levels of government , health organizations, school community groups, Indigenous organizations, charities, and through written submissions from residents as well as an online questionnaire, and engagement sessions with children and youth.

Most agreed the policy should be flexible and adaptable to local areas and should build on programs that already exist. Many participants supported a universal program delivery model where every child has access to school food so there is less stigma.

Less than one per cent didn’t agree with the federal government playing a role in school food. The reasons included schools falling under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, and school food programs considered to be a bandage solution to a problem rooted in poverty.

The next step is to craft the policy, but no timelines are included in the report.

Here is the complete report: what-we-heard-report-2023