Article – Last Saturday’s rain didn’t dampen the spirits of nearly 300 Halifax parents, teachers, and students who gathered on the Grand Parade grounds to demand federal action on school food programs. The crowd waved handmade signs declaring “Feed Our Future” and “Hungry Kids Can’t Learn” as part of a growing national movement.
“My son sometimes gives his lunch to classmates who don’t have enough,” said Melissa Cooper, a mother of two elementary students at Oxford School. “No child should have to share their meal because their friend is hungry. This isn’t just a Halifax problem—it’s happening across Canada.”
The rally comes as Statistics Canada data shows nearly one in four Canadian children experience food insecurity, a number that jumped significantly during the pandemic and hasn’t recovered. In Nova Scotia specifically, food bank usage among families with school-aged children rose 31% in the past year, according to Feed Nova Scotia’s annual report.
Karen Whitman, a Grade 4 teacher with 16 years in Halifax classrooms, described how hunger affects learning firsthand. “I can spot the hungry kids immediately—they can’t focus, they’re irritable, they put their heads down. We keep granola bars and fruit in our desks, but teachers shouldn’t be the backup plan for a systemic problem.”
The demonstration was organized by Food Secure Nova Scotia in partnership with the Coalition for Healthy School Food, which has chapters in every province. They’re calling for implementation of a national school food program that would provide nutritious meals to all students regardless of family income.
“We’ve been having this conversation for decades while other countries act,” said Dr. Lesley Frank, Canada Research Chair in Food, Health and Social Justice at Acadia University. “School food programs exist in nearly every developed nation except Canada. The evidence is overwhelming that when children have reliable access to nutritious food, academic performance improves, behavioral problems decrease, and long-term health outcomes are better.”
Federal representatives point to the $1 billion commitment made in the 2023 budget toward developing a national school food policy framework, but advocates argue the funds are insufficient and implementation has been too slow. A pilot program currently operates in only 60 schools nationwide.
Halifax City Councillor Waye Mason attended the rally and highlighted municipal efforts to fill gaps. “We’ve established a small grant program to help schools build food preparation spaces, but this needs provincial and federal leadership. Our city can’t solve this alone.”
The Halifax School Board already partners with local charities and food banks to offer breakfast programs in high-need schools, but the patchwork approach leaves many students without reliable support. Current programs reach approximately 30% of Halifax schools, mostly at the elementary level.
“The breakfast program at our school runs three days a week when we have enough volunteers,” said James McKenna, principal at Highland Park Junior High. “Some weeks we can’t open at all. It’s heartbreaking to tell hungry kids we don’t have food today.”
Provincial Education Minister Becky Druhan issued a statement following the rally acknowledging the importance of school nutrition but emphasized that a national approach would be more sustainable than provincial solutions. The statement noted Nova Scotia’s $5.7 million annual investment in school food initiatives but recognized this doesn’t meet current needs.
Behind the political back-and-forth are real families struggling daily. Tanya Morris, a single parent with three children in Halifax schools, took the megaphone at Saturday’s rally to share her experience.
“I work full-time at $19 an hour, and I still can’t always afford enough healthy food for my kids’ lunches,” Morris told the crowd. “Last month I had to choose between paying the electric bill and buying groceries for the last week of the month. This isn’t about parenting—it’s about an economy where working families can’t make ends meet.”
The Coalition for Healthy School Food estimates a comprehensive national program would cost approximately $4.4 billion annually—substantially more than current commitments. However, supporters point to research from the Conference Board of Canada suggesting every dollar invested in school food programs returns up to $6 in reduced healthcare costs and improved educational outcomes.
Halifax rally organizers have collected over 5,000 signatures on a petition they plan to present to federal representatives next month. Similar rallies are scheduled in 12 other Canadian cities throughout May and June.
As the crowd dispersed Saturday, volunteers distributed information packets about upcoming community meetings and template letters for contacting elected officials. The movement shows no signs of slowing, with organizers already planning a follow-up demonstration for September when the new school year begins.
“This isn’t just about charity or helping the poor—this is about creating the foundation for healthier communities and a stronger country,” said Dr. Frank. “When we leave children hungry, we all pay the price through higher healthcare costs, lower productivity, and missed human potential.”
For Halifax families like the Coopers, Morrises, and thousands of others, the issue remains urgent and personal. As one young protestor’s sign read in crooked crayon letters: “I can’t do math when my tummy hurts.”
