Critical considerations for Canada’s National School Food Program

School food labour, mental health, and inclusivity

Abstract

School food programs (SFPs), which may include breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with or without curriculum integration, have tremendous potential to enhance the health and well-being of Canadian children, youth and communities. However, these programs are often politically undervalued, running on volunteer labour with limited space, equipment, and funding. In 2024, the Government of Canada announced a significant change to this status quo with a $1 billion investment over five years and a new school food policy for the development of Canada’s first National School Food Program (NSFP). With the passing of the National School Food Program Act in early 2026, permanent funding will be available starting in 2029-30. This new national-scale program will build on existing local, regional, and provincial programs with the long-term goal of ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food in school, with objectives such as universal access, teaching healthful food-related behaviours and attitudes, and inclusiveness. However, for meaningful and equitable advancement of NSFP goals, we propose that the program must first address structural factors: developing the school food workforce, integrating mental health promotion, and culturally tailored programming. Doing so can serve to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, especially given growing concerns about youth mental health and the need for sensitivity when providing food and engaging youth in food-related discussions. As the NSFP expands, developing school cook training plans that engage local workers and meet the employment needs of equity-deserving women are critical to ensuring programs provide nutritious, healthy, and locally adapted menus. Action in these key areas will help identify and address the social and historical experiences of workers, students, families, and communities, and support holistic and health-promoting programming.