School meal programs feeling the strain of high food costs
Rising food costs and increased demand are putting a strain on meal and snack programs in Manitoba schools.
All over the country, Canadians are dealing with expensive grocery prices, and now the issue had made its way into Manitoba classrooms.
One factor is that schools are seeing a greater need for meal and snack programs as families that never used these programs before are now accessing them.
“Often schools are seeing an increased need. They are seeing an increased number of students accessing programs,” said Maxine Meadows, community dietician with the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Monday.
Another issue is the increased costs the programs are taking on. This includes higher costs associated with the food being bought, as well as the fuel needed to travel and buy the groceries.
“We have programs all across the province that we’re supporting. Right from Churchill to the southernmost [part of the] province in Sprague,” Meadows said.
“A number of these programs, they may be travelling a distance to purchase groceries.”
Typically, the way these programs work is that in the spring schools inform the Child Nutrition Council about their needs for a program for the following school year. From there, the non-profit supports the schools through grant funding and nutrition support.
Now, the organization is hearing from schools throughout the year about their need for support.
Meadows noted there are 20 schools on the waitlist for the current school year, with 300 programs receiving grants and support.
“We really don’t know what that’s going to look like for the next school year,” she said.
“We have our grants for this school year, but we’re always looking to the next school year and how are we going to be able to support these programs.”
Those who want to provide support to the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba can find out how to do so online. https://childnutritioncouncil.com/supporter/supporters/
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.