The Ontario government is increasing its investment in student nutrition programs to help more students access healthy meals during the school day.
The province announced a $5-million increase to the Student Nutrition Program (SNP) and the First Nations Student Nutrition Program (FNSNP), bringing total funding to $37.5 million for 2025-26. Together, the programs are expected to provide over 140 million meals and snacks to more than 800,000 students, including more than 1.4 million meals in Indigenous communities.
“To protect Ontario, we need to support the health and well-being of Ontario’s students, so they can stay focused on the things that matter most,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Today’s investment will strengthen Ontario’s student nutrition programs to ensure more children and young people have access to healthy and nutritious food. This is only possible thanks to the many community partners and volunteers who are generously contributing to such an important cause.”
To further support the programs, the province is relaunching the Healthy Students Brighter Ontario community fundraising campaign, which aims to raise an additional $5 million through partnerships with local businesses and community organizations.
“Students deserve every chance to succeed, and that starts with proper nutrition,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “By increasing our investment in Ontario’s student nutrition programs, our government is taking action to ensure more students have access to healthy meals that help them learn, grow and give them the support they need to succeed now and in the future.”
Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, said the funding will help strengthen food security in Indigenous communities.
“This investment in Ontario’s First Nations Student Nutrition Program sites throughout the province supports student academic success and well-being,” Rickford said. “Our government is continuing to work alongside Indigenous partners to strengthen food security and improve access to meals for First Nations students, to help students and communities thrive now and, in the future.”
The SNP and FNSNP are delivered in partnership with local agencies, school boards and community organizations, with support from thousands of volunteers who prepare and serve food in schools across Ontario.
More information about the Healthy Students Brighter Ontario campaign is available at Ontario.ca/studentnutrition
.
