If you have children attending school in Saint John, you need to prepare for a change in plans next week. The provincial government is delaying the rollout of its new hot lunch program for several schools across New Brunswick.

According to a report from CBC News, the program was scheduled to launch this Tuesday for all students. Now, the Department of Education says unfinished kitchen renovations will prevent some schools from participating right away.

Why the Program is Delayed

Education Minister Claire Johnson says the province is still finalizing the list of affected schools. She notes the situation changes daily as the government works to implement the provincial initiative.

“This was a really big program and a lot of other provinces who had rolled this out said that it was very ambitious to be doing it in every single school from K to 12, so I just want to remind everybody of that,” Johnson said.

She explained that several schools require major infrastructure upgrades to handle food services. Like any large project, unexpected challenges arise at the last minute.

What Saint John Parents Need to Know

While the province has not released an official list, we know several local schools are facing delays. Affected schools in the Saint John area include Seaside Park Elementary, Beaconsfield Middle School, M. Gerald Teed Memorial School, and Rothesay Elementary.

If your child attends one of these schools, you will need to send them with a packed lunch. The Anglophone South School District emailed parents stating the program is delayed while the lunch provider completes final preparations.

This advice conflicts slightly with the province. Johnson stated the government will provide bag lunches as an alternate plan for schools lacking food service infrastructure. However, the school district explicitly asked parents to pack a lunch until the official launch is ready.

Who is Making the Meals?

The Department of Education is working with 80 different providers to deliver the program. Chartwells, owned by Compass Group Canada, is managing meals for about half of the schools in the Anglophone South district. They are also servicing schools in Anglophone West and the vast majority of schools in Anglophone East.

Independent providers will manage the remaining schools in the southern district. In the Francophone Northeast School District, existing cafeteria teams will handle the food service for almost all their locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the hot lunch program start for the delayed schools?

The Department of Education has not provided a specific start date for the delayed schools. Officials are dealing with ongoing kitchen renovations and will notify parents once the facilities are ready.

Which schools in Saint John are affected by the delay?

Currently known affected schools include Seaside Park Elementary, Beaconsfield Middle School, M. Gerald Teed Memorial School, and Rothesay Elementary. The province will release a full list soon.

Should I pack a lunch for my child?

Yes. The Anglophone South School District advises parents at affected schools to send a packed lunch until the hot lunch program officially launches.

Who is providing the food for the lunch program?

The province hired 80 different providers. Chartwells is a major provider for the Anglophone South, West, and East districts, while independent providers and existing cafeteria staff will handle other schools.