Nova Scotia Expands School Lunch Program to All Public Schools in 2026-27
Starting September 2026, Nova Scotia's school lunch program will cover all 372 public schools, including high schools, serving over 133,000 students with a budget exceeding $100 million.
The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is set for a significant expansion beginning in September 2026. For the 2026-27 school year, nutritious lunches will be available in all 372 public schools across the province, marking the first time high schools are fully included in the initiative.
This expansion means that more than 133,000 students will have access to meals during the school day. The move builds on the program’s success since its launch in 2024, during which it has served more than 12 million meals. In the previous 2025-26 school year, the program reached over 104,000 students in 334 schools, serving approximately 7.9 million lunches.
To support this broader reach, the Province is investing more than $100 million in the program for the 2026-27 period. This represents an increase from the approximately $80 million invested in 2025-26. Additionally, Nova Scotia is receiving about $12.4 million over three years through the Government of Canada’s National School Food Program.
Operational changes will accompany the expansion, particularly at the secondary level. Most high schools will manage their own lunch operations rather than contracting external vendors. This shift aims to provide greater flexibility to meet the needs of older students. As part of these adjustments, larger portion sizes will be introduced in high schools, and new menu options such as chicken caesar wraps, chicken fried rice, ramen-style noodle bowls, and salads will be added to the offerings.