If your child attends a New Brunswick school, you will notice changes in the cafeteria. New Brunswick is rolling out its first provincewide school lunch program. The initiative provides affordable meals to thousands of students. However, about one in five schools is still waiting for full service. According to a report from Global News, the province invested $26 million into this universal model this year.

How the Lunch Program Works

The new system standardizes school lunches across the province. Meals cost $4 for students up to Grade 8 and $5 for high school students. The province covers the remaining cost of each meal and provides full subsidies for eligible families.

Victoria McKenzie chairs the parent committee at Hanwell Park Academy. She says the program is already making a difference for her daughter.

“She has been eating the $4 meals all week and she has actually started eating a lot more variety,” McKenzie told Global News. She also appreciates that the program keeps subsidies private. “One thing I really like about this program is that it is going to be kind of invisible who is having subsidized lunches because they are all going to be the same lunches.”

Retired educator Pam Campbell notes this support is vital. She recalls teachers bringing food to keep in their desks for hungry students.

Why Some Schools Are Waiting

As of this week, 80 percent of schools have active lunch programs. The remaining 56 school cafeterias face delays related to equipment upgrades, installations, and inspections.

Premier Susan Holt points to a shortage of skilled trades workers.

“A workforce shortage of folks like gas fitters, the electricians, the plumbers that need to do the installation of the fridges, the stove, and that kind of thing,” Holt explained. She added that the government expected installations to finish before the school year started.

Despite the setbacks, Holt remains committed. “We are not going to stop doing this work until 100 percent of the schools are supported and that is happening right now.”

What Happens Next

The province expects to resolve the remaining rollout issues over the next couple of weeks. Grand Manan Community School is currently the only facility still searching for a food provider. In the meantime, schools without full service offer contingency meals to students in need.

Jill Van Horne is the executive director of Food for All NB. She emphasizes that clear communication and feedback from families will determine the program’s long term success.

“This is a significant undertaking in some cases where there might have been nothing,” Van Horne said. “For sure there will be growing pains.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the new school lunches cost?

Meals cost $4 for students in kindergarten through Grade 8 and $5 for high school students. The province subsidizes the remaining costs and offers full subsidies for eligible families.

Why is the lunch program delayed at certain schools?

About 56 schools are waiting on equipment upgrades and inspections. A shortage of skilled trades workers like plumbers and electricians has slowed down the installation of new kitchen appliances.

What happens if my child’s school does not have the program yet?

The province provides contingency meals to students in need at schools where the full cafeteria service is not yet operational.