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We have great news to share – after years of advocating for awareness of the heartbreaking reality that nearly 1 in 4 Canadian children do not get enough food, and that Canada is the only G7 country without a national school food program, we are happy to announce that the Province has stepped up with $214M over 3 years to grow school food programs in BC, and the federal government has responded with a commitment of $1B over 5 years for a National School Food Program and a National School Food Policy: “Every child in Canada deserves to have the best start in life. Getting the food they need to succeed at school is essential to a fair start in life, regardless of their family’s circumstance.” It is exciting to see these great steps forward recognizing that healthy school food and a universal school food program impacts children’s health and their opportunities to learn and fulfill their potential.

As wonderful as the federal and provincial governments commitments are, they are just a beginning, and there is much more to do. The DPAC Food Working Group looks forward to working with the Vancouver School Board to develop a healthy and universal school food program, and we invite all parents to join us in our work this year!

Vancouver teacher runs an ultramarathon for school food programs in BC !

Building on his past runs – 200 times around his school last October, and 200 times around the House of Commons in November 2023 – Brent Mansfield, a Vancouver elementary school teacher, ran around the front lawn of the BC Parliament Buildings on October 16 (World Food Day).

Students and supporters from the BC Chapter of the Coalition for Healthy School Food (BC-CHSF), including Flourish! School Food Society and the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC), also took part in the event. The run called on all parties in the BC election to support school food programs in BC. Brent also urged the future BC government to sign an agreement as soon as possible to ensure federal funds can support BC students in the 2024-25 school year.