Students heading back to class will now be able to get a nutritious meal or snack when they need one, with the universal school nutrition program now available in every school in the province.

“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” Premier Wab Kinew said.

“We made a commitment to Manitoba families that we’d make sure kids across our province had access to food when they go to school, and we’ve delivered on that promise. As kids head back to class, they’ll be able to get a meal or a snack when they need one, so they can concentrate, learn and reach their full potential.”

The Manitoba government committed $30 million in Budget 2024 to make a meal or snack available to students across the province.

Approximately $21 million has been allocated to public schools within the 37 school divisions, with $6 million being specifically earmarked for 50 schools in communities with the high socio-economic need.

Ahead of the full rollout of the school nutrition program this fall, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning worked with schools and school divisions to develop, and implement nutrition programming to meet the needs of students and families in their community, with the goal of ensuring any child who needs it will be able to access food at school.

The remainder of the funding is being provided to a number of key community partners including the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.

Grant funding has also been provided to community organizations and school divisions for after-school, summer and school break nutrition programs.