The provincial government has announced $214 million to create and expand food programs in B.C. schools.

Education Minister Rachna Singh and Richmond-Queensborough MLA Aman Singh made the announcement as part of the province鈥檚 Feeding Futures fund on Tuesday (April 4) at McNair Secondary School in Richmond.

The education and agriculture ministries will work together in order to incorporate Feed BC in more district school food programs.

Rachna Singh said it鈥檚 the largest investment into school food program鈥檚 in B.C.鈥檚 history.

鈥淲orking with local schools to make sure our kids are fed and ready to learn will make a real difference for families and communities.鈥�

The funding, earmarked for 60 school districts across the province over the next three years, will be used for purchasing food and hiring dedicated staff to coordinate providing meals and snacks to students.

Rachna Singh said the province knows how important food is for young learners, 鈥渆specially with the growing inflation and with how challenged families are鈥� in trying to provide.

The province notes the Feeding Futures program 鈥渨ill address the immediate need of feeding students and builds on the progress made with the Student and Family Affordability Fund to help reduce the challenges of rising food costs for families who need it most.鈥�

Viveca Ellis, the executive director of the Single Mothers鈥� Alliance, said the importance of healthy meals provided within the public school system to support learning and development 鈥渟hould not be understated.鈥�

鈥淭hey help families save both crucial time and money, support economic recovery and food security, and ensure that our children and youth are ready to learn.鈥�

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lauren.collins@blackpress.ca
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