Parents in the New Brunswick school system face changes to how students access meals this fall. New Brunswick is introducing a pay what you can school lunch plan. The province wants to change how students access meals and help families manage rising living costs. The program draws both support and criticism from politicians and community groups.

According to a report from Your Saint John, you pay four dollars per meal for students in kindergarten to grade eight. High school students pay five dollars per meal. The province covers the remaining costs. Full subsidies are available for families who cannot afford to pay. Community organizations that raise funds also support the subsidy system.

Premier Susan Holt says the goal is to make nutritious food more accessible.

“We know when students have a full belly, they can better focus on learning,” Holt said in a government release.

Concerns Over Past Rollouts

Progressive Conservative education critic Ian Lee supports helping families but has concerns about how the government handled the program last year. He noted some community groups withdrew from school food programs when they believed the province planned to take over the system.

“When they initially learned that the government was planning to take this over back in September last year, they decided to take their volunteers and funds and go elsewhere, and those groups left,” Lee said in the Legislature. “And then the government changed their plans, and then the schools were left on the hook.”

Lee hopes the province avoids similar confusion as the program expands.

Education Minister Claire Johnson expects the lunch plan to improve student engagement and help families.

“This school lunch program, where all students have access to healthy meals, will result in increased student engagement, which will lead to better results overall,” Johnson said.

The Bigger Picture on Food Insecurity

Green MLA Megan Mitton calls the new lunch plan a positive step but says the province must address food insecurity outside school hours.

“It is essential to work to make sure that kids have food outside of school hours,” Mitton said. “That is an important piece of this, and if that is not addressed, then you are really only addressing one piece of the puzzle.”

Mitton also questions the funding model and how much the government expects community groups to contribute.

Community organizations agree the need for food support continues to grow. Jane Buckley is the executive director of the Oromocto Food Bank. She says rising living costs push more families toward food insecurity. Access to breakfast and lunch at school ensures vulnerable students do not go hungry.

A prototype of the lunch program operates in selected schools. Marc Allain is a project manager for a partnership between CE D’ICI and Meals on Wheels. His group is preparing to deliver lunches made with local ingredients to ten Fredericton area schools this fall. The province says the pilot helps determine necessary adjustments before the full rollout in September.

Funding the Program

The province set aside 26 million dollars for the lunch program in the 2026 to 2027 budget. This includes seven million dollars in new funding. The program runs alongside the universal breakfast program. The province supports the breakfast program with two million dollars a year. The federal National School Food Program adds 11 million dollars over three years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the new school lunch program cost?

You pay four dollars per meal for students in kindergarten to grade eight. High school students pay five dollars per meal.

What if my family cannot afford the meals?

The province offers full subsidies if you cannot afford to pay. Community organizations also help support the subsidy system.

When does the full program start?

The full rollout begins in September. A prototype operates in selected schools right now to test the system.

How much money do families save?

The government expects your family to save between 900 and 2000 dollars a year if you use both the lunch and breakfast programs.