Alberta and federal governments expand school food programs

EDMONTON – More than $35 million is flowing to Alberta school jurisdictions over two years to expand student nutrition programs under a federal-provincial partnership.

The funding comes through the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program, a nearly $43-million three-year agreement ratified in March 2025. School boards and eligible public charter schools will receive more than $17.4 million in 2025-26 and over $17.6 million in 2026-27 to cover food, staffing and program administration.

The investment builds on the $20 million Alberta contributes annually through its own School Nutrition Program, which currently supports 58,000 students with daily nutritious meals.

"No child should have to try to learn on an empty stomach," said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of Education and Childcare. "This investment, alongside federal funding, will help ensure more students across Alberta are nourished, supported and ready to succeed in the classroom."

Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey said the national program is expanding access to nutritious food while easing costs for families.

Alberta is also directing $500,000 through its Innovation and Best Practices in School Nutrition grant to three non-profit organizations: Apple Schools, Farm to Cafeteria Canada and Breakfast Club of Canada. The groups will identify successful approaches to school nutrition across the province and share findings with school boards in 2026-27.

"When students have nutritious food, they learn better," said Chris Andrew, chair of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. "These school grants provide schools an opportunity to teach students about what makes a nutritious meal and helps create lifelong healthy eating habits."

Alberta is collecting data from school boards to measure the impact of federal funding. The next report is due Jan. 31, 2027.