Brant Food For Thought welcomes federal-provincial agreement

The province’s decision to join the national school food program comes at an important time, the program director for Brant Food For Thought says.

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Gisele Budgell says student nutrition programs have been under significant strain in recent years due to the high cost of food and a growing demand for programs.

“This investment is critical to the sustainability of school-based nutrition programs in our region,” Budgell said in a statement.

Budgell made the comments after it was announced Ontario had reached an agreement with the federal government to join Canada’s National School Food Program.

Under the program, Ontario will receive $108.5 million over three years. The funding is projected to provide an additional 160,000 students with 9.5 million meals.

Budgell said it’s too early to say how much money will come to Brantford-Brant.

However, she’s confident that money will come into the community during this school year.

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Budgell said the investment, combined with existing community and provincial funding, means more school-based programs will be able to run at full capacity, five days a week.

Brant Food For Thought supports more than 12,000 students weekly, It is projecting to serve an estimated 1.35 million breakfasts and healthy snacks this school year at elementary and secondary schools in Brantford and Brant County.

“There are more than 25,000 school-aged children and youth in this area, therefore room to expand and deliver even more high-quality nutrition programs,” Budgell said.

Tyler Arsenault, co-chair of Student Nutrition Ontario and Manager of Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, said nutrition programs have already made a profound impact on children’s health and academic success.

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“The announcement of federal funding will amplify those efforts,” Arsensault said in a statement. “By progressing toward stable, sustainable funding, schools will be able to reach even more students and provide access to food more frequently throughout the school year.

“This is a victory for students, families, and communities across Ontario.”

Those involved in delivering school-based food programs say they reduce child hunger during school hours and help improve learning, behavior and well-being.

School-based food programs give all students a better chance of success, they say.

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