Everything we know so far about the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program

The first week of meals at 255 Nova Scotia schools is fast approaching.

Here's what we know so far about the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program from costs to what's on the menu.

How and when do I order?

Last week, the province announced the first 28 schools could order lunches between Sept. 20 and Sept. 25, with the food ready to serve by Tuesday, Oct. 1 (Monday, Sept. 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, so there are no classes).

The province said 49 more schools will be able to put their lunch orders in from Oct. 4 to Oct. 9 with the first meals being served on Tuesday, Oct. 15 (Monday, Oct. 14, is Thanksgiving Day, so there are no classes).

The remaining 178 schools will be able to order from Oct. 18 to Oct. 23 for lunches served the week of Oct. 28.

Lunches are paid through an online ordering system. Payments can be madewith Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Visa Debit or Debit MasterCard.

Do I have to pay?

The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program has three payment options: pay the cost of the lunch ($6.50 per meal), pay part of the cost or pay nothing.

After choosing lunches, the ordering system takes you to a payment screen that will provide the three options.

What kind of meal optionsare there?

According to a Sept. 20 news release from Nova Scotia's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, all schools will rotate through the same four-week menu "but staggered to avoid strain on the supply chain."

For example, the department noted, on Oct. 28, half of the schools will serve creamy pasta with chicken and vegetablesor creamy pasta with vegetables; the other half will serve macaroni and cheese with beef and vegetables or macaroni and cheese with vegetables.

Each listed menu item has a vegetarian option. Some of the lunches are hot meals.

For students with allergies and dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, halal and kosher, etc.), the province said it tried to create lunch options that work for as many students as possible.

"When ordering, families can see the ingredients in each meal and make the best decision for their child. We can't guarantee that meals are 100 per cent allergen free due to the risk of cross-contamination," the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program website says.

Who makes the food?

This depends on the school. Either school staff make the lunches in the school, an outside company makes lunches in the school or an outside company makes and delivers lunches to the school.

The department said the program model doesn't affect menu options, the ordering process or the quality of the lunches.

Have other provinces tried this?

Prince Edward Island has had a school lunch program since 2020. It's run by anot-for-profit organization called P.E.I. School Food Program.

The number of meals being served since the program launched is growing rapidly. In the 2023-24 school year, it served 843,000 meals at the province's Public School Branch (PSB), 78,000 meals at the French-language school board and 65,000 grab-and-go meals in hubs. In the previous school year, it served more than 600,000 meals at PSB schools, 67,000 meals at the French-language school board and 58,000 grab-and-go meals.

Meals are $5.75 each, but families can pay a partial amount or not pay at all.

Is the federal government funding this?

Not yet. So far the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is a provincial program. Talks are happening to secure additional funding from Ottawa for the 2024-25 school year, but it's not finalized.

The Nova Scotia government announced the program as part of the budget for 2024-25 with an $18.8-million investment for this school year.

Newfoundland and Labrador is getting funding this school year from the federal government.