English
French-language content for this topic on Alberta.ca is currently being developed. Information will remain available on the Alberta Education website until this is complete.

Français
La page correspondante en français est en cours de préparation sur le site Web Alberta.ca. Pendant cette période de transition, l'information qu'elle contient demeure disponible sur le site Web du ministère de l'Éducation.

Overview

The School Nutrition Program helps approximately 35,000 students in participating schools get a daily nutritious meal that follows the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth.

The program gives money directly to school authorities to create, continue, or enhance existing nutrition programs in identified schools.

We encourage school authorities to work with community partners to use supports and resources in their area. These could include the many successful breakfast and lunch programs already in Alberta schools.

Participating school authorities should design a program that consists of one nutritious meal per school day. School authorities can determine what time to offer the meal.

Funding

Government is increasing the funding to $18.5 million for the program in the 2019/20 school year. Each school authority will get the same amount of funding as in the 2018/19 school year.

Non-profit organization pilot

Non-profit organizations can apply for a new grant to research and test innovative solutions to deliver the School Nutrition Program more effectively in collaboration with public, separate and francophone school authorities currently participating in the program. Successful non-profit organizations could receive a conditional grant of up to $500,000.

To be eligible for the pilot, the application must:

  • be submitted by non-profit organization (NPO)
  • demonstrate collaboration with at least 2 public, separate or francophone school authorities
  • demonstrate how the NPO will address identified challenges

How to apply

NPOs that meet the eligibility requirements must submit a project proposal and completed application form to schoolnutrition@gov.ab.ca by 4:30 pm on January 31, 2020.

Nutrition education

This program also aims to help people learn more about:

  • the importance of reading food labels
  • choice and preparation of healthy foods
  • accessing Alberta's food resources

Participating school authorities must include a nutrition education component as part of their program.

Learning and teaching resources

There are several opportunities to address health, wellness and nutrition in Alberta’s provincial curriculum.

Healthy schools

Healthy schools encourage students to:

  • practice healthy eating
  • practice active living
  • contribute to positive social environments in their school

Health and life skills (K to 9)

Health and life skills enables students to:

  • make well-informed, healthy choices
  • develop behaviours that contribute to the well-being of self and others
  • respond to the opportunities and expectations in the world of work

Career and Life Management (High school)

Career and Life Management program of studies helps students:

  • make good choices in all aspects of their lives, including health and nutrition
  • develop behaviours and attitudes that contribute to the well-being and respect of self and others

Career and Technology Studies (High school)

The Health, Recreation and Human Services cluster offers food and nutrition courses.

Nutrition resources and guidelines

News

Contact

Connect with Alberta Education for more information about the School Nutrition Program:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-9296
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: schoolnutrition@gov.ab.ca