Government to provide free, nutritious breakfast to all New Brunswick students
UPPER MIRAMICHI (GNB) – All New Brunswick students will have access to healthy breakfast at school this year through a partnership with Feed NB (formerly Food Depot Alimentaire).
“We know that when students have a full belly, they can better focus on learning,” said Premier Susan Holt. “By giving students universal access to a school breakfast program, we are giving them one of the essential tools they need to succeed while also helping to make life more affordable for New Brunswick families.”
According to Statistics Canada, nearly one in four New Brunswick children arrives at school hungry every day. Under this contract extension, the provincial and federal governments will invest $13 million to provide access to healthy breakfast foods to students in all schools across the province’s seven school districts.
In partnership with Feed NB, 136 schools across New Brunswick had access to healthy foods at the start of the school 2024-25 year.
“We are thrilled that, this year, all schools in New Brunswick will have access to breakfast, bringing in the 160 schools previously left out,” said Holt.
School breakfast will feature apples, milk, eggs, cheese, bread, cereal, bagels and other nutritious options, with ingredients sourced locally in New Brunswick, when possible, or from across Canada.
“This school breakfast program will mean more engaged students and better results overall,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “We are grateful to our partners at Feed NB, who are helping us deliver on our commitment to ensure all children in New Brunswick have access to a breakfast program at school.”
“Feed NB is thrilled to partner with the provincial government to make breakfast a reality for every student in the province,” said Stéphane Sirois, the organization’s executive director. “This is a big step towards our vision of a hunger-free New Brunswick.”
The government announced in February it had secured more than $11 million from the federal government’s National School Food Program to expand and enhance access to school food programs in New Brunswick.
“Investments like these ensure a healthy meal for children who don’t always have enough to eat at home,” said Anna Gainey, federal secretary of state for children and youth. “Canada’s government is committed to supporting families by helping kids access nourishing food at school which delivers better outcomes for everyone.”
Gainey commented for federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu.
The provincial government has committed to an additional annual investment of $2 million to help students access healthy foods at school.
More information about the school breakfast program is available online.
03-09-25