Despite $9.1M in federal funding, delays in Newfoundland’s school lunch program rollout raise concern among parents and community volunteers.
N.L. Parent Questions Delay in Funded Lunch Program
A Newfoundland parent and volunteer is raising concerns over delays in a promised school lunch program, despite a multi-million-dollar federal-provincial agreement signed last fall.
Government Announced Funding in 2024
In September 2024, then-premier Andrew Furey and then-prime minister Justin Trudeau announced a $9.1-million partnership to expand school lunch access across Newfoundland and Labrador. The funds are part of Canada’s broader National School Food Program, introduced in April 2024 to support equitable access to meals for students nationwide.
Local Volunteer Sees No Progress
Petrina Daley, a parent volunteer who operates a lunch program at St. Catherine’s Academy in Mount Carmel-Mitchell’s Brook-St. Catherine’s, said her school has yet to receive any program funding or support. “It’s very frustrating,” Daley told News. She said repeated attempts to seek updates from the provincial government and Food First N.L., a nonprofit involved in implementation, have gone unanswered.
Provincial Government Cites Infrastructure Barriers
Education Minister Bernard Davis acknowledged in June that not all schools are covered yet. He said about 22,000 students are currently served under a pay-what-you-can model, with 6,000 added since the funding was announced. “Some schools may not have kitchens or access to local food providers,” Davis explained. He confirmed the government’s goal is to reach 50,000 students, but added, “We want it to be sustainable—that’s the key.”
Food First N.L. Conducting Consultations
Food First N.L., through its Next Step for School Meals project, is consulting with communities and providing implementation recommendations to the government. Project coordinator Ashley Byrne clarified that while the organization advises on strategy, it has no authority over the program’s timeline. “There are a lot of moving parts,” Byrne said. She added that consultations have been underway for the past 18 months.
Community Skepticism Ahead of Fall Term
Daley said she’s skeptical about the program launching at her school by September. She noted the province is relying on non-profits to register as meal providers, but believes few groups in her rural area are prepared for that commitment. “It’s so confusing,” she said. “I’m not very optimistic that there’s a school lunch program at our school for September.”
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