Photo Courtesy of: Nourish Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is being expanded after serving more than 4.7 million meals to students during its first year in operation.
The program, launched in elementary schools, is now being extended to all middle and junior high schools this fall. That means more than 104,000 students in 334 schools will be able to access daily lunches.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development says the expansion builds on early success and will include several improvements based on school and family feedback.
Among the changes coming this fall:
- new menu options that have been tested and approved by students
- more sustainable packaging
- streamlined ordering
- improved delivery and service
“Students are focused on learning when they’re not worrying about food,” said Education Minister Brendan Maguire. “We’re making life easier for families while improving access to healthy meals across the province.”
Data from the 2024–25 school year shows the Halifax Regional Centre for Education served nearly two million lunches, with cheese pizza being the most-ordered item at 390,000 servings.
West Bedford School served the highest number of lunches at more than 73,000, while Pleasant Bay School in Inverness County had the highest participation rate, with 80 percent of students regularly using the program.
The program is supported by an $80-million provincial investment for the 2025–26 school year.
Nova Scotia is also receiving $12.4 million over three years from the federal government as part of the National School Food Program.
