The federal and Alberta governments are expanding school nutrition programs across the province, with nearly $43 million committed over three years to help more students access healthy meals during the school day.

Under the Canada-Alberta National School Food Program Agreement, more than $17.4 million will flow to Alberta schools in 2025-26, followed by over $17.6 million in 2026-27. The funding can be used by school boards and eligible public charter schools to cover food, staffing, and program administration costs.

The federal-provincial investment builds on the $20 million Alberta already provides annually through its School Nutrition Program, which currently supports 58,000 students in participating schools. The combined funding is intended to expand access to existing programs and establish new ones in schools not currently offering nutrition programming.

An additional $500,000 is being directed to three non-profit organizations — Apple Schools, Farm to Cafeteria Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada — to identify and share successful approaches to school nutrition programs across the province.

According to the federal backgrounder, the National School Food Program was made permanent through legislation that received Royal Assent in March 2026, with $216.6 million per year committed starting in 2029-30.

Alberta's government is collecting data from school boards on the program's impact, with a report due by January 31, 2027.