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EDMONTON — School may be out for summer, but Alberta and the federal government are already planning for the next school year with more than $35 million in funding to expand school nutrition programs over the next two years.
The funding is part of the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program, a three-year agreement expected to provide nearly $43 million to improve access to healthy meals for students across the province.
More than $17.4 million will be distributed during the 2025-26 school year, followed by more than $17.6 million in 2026-27. The money will help school boards and eligible public charter schools cover costs including food, staffing and program administration.
Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said ensuring students have access to nutritious meals helps them succeed in the classroom.
“No child should have to try to learn on an empty stomach,” Nicolaides said in a statement.
“This investment, alongside federal funding, will help ensure more students across Alberta are nourished, supported and ready to succeed in the classroom.”
The federal funding complements Alberta’s existing School Nutrition Program, which receives $20 million annually and currently provides daily nutritious meals to about 58,000 students in participating schools.
Anna Gainey, the federal secretary of state for children and youth, said the partnership is intended to improve access to healthy food while easing financial pressure on families.
“Through investments that build on Alberta’s School Nutrition Program, we are making sure more students have the healthy food they need to learn, grow and thrive,” she said.
The province is also investing $500,000 through its Innovation and Best Practices in School Nutrition grant program. Funding will go to Apple Schools, Farm to Cafeteria Canada and Breakfast Club of Canada to identify successful nutrition initiatives and share best practices with school boards during the 2026-27 school year.
Alberta ratified the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program agreement in March. The province is collecting data from school boards to measure the impact of the funding, with the next report due by Jan. 31, 2027.
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