Holt Government to Implement School Food Program so Students can Focus on Learning

For immediate release

Fredericton, September 4, 2024 – A Holt government will make life more affordable for New Brunswick families and give students what they need to succeed. If elected, the team will implement a universal school food program to ensure all New Brunswick students have access to free, nutritious breakfasts, as well as pay-what-you-can lunches. The school food program would prioritize the use of local New Brunswick products.

“A school food program doesn’t just fill stomachs: it feeds minds. With regular, nutritious meals, students have the energy they need to attend classes, concentrate more, and absorb more knowledge, which will help us improve literacy and learning in general. By ensuring that every child is ready to learn, we will be able to reduce absenteeism, close achievement gaps and create a brighter future for all,” explains Liberal Party leader Susan Holt.

Program details

A Holt government’s program would have two components:

• A free, nutritious breakfast
• A new pay-what-you-can lunch offered to all students and families

The two components combined will represent an investment of $27.4 million per year.

Talking action after speaking to experts

During her recent province-wide education tour, Ms. Holt met with teachers and principals who shared their experiences seeing the effects of hunger on school performance, literacy, and attendance.

Right now in New Brunswick, 1 in 4 students are going to school hungry. The Holt government’s school food program will be offered to every student with a model that doesn’t single anyone out or make kids or parents feel ashamed for having to access these services. This will offset grocery costs for families, provide children with stability, and create a more positive environment for learning.

“The Higgs Conservatives have been picking and choosing what schools get access to their breakfast program. We are committed to making sure every child has the food they need to thrive,” said Holt.

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MEDIA CONTACT :

Pascale Paulin

Press Secretary

media@nbliberal.ca

(506) 866-3420