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84,000 Students Rely on Affordable School Meals
19 Sep
Summary
- Over 84,000 students in Quebec are now served by affordable school meal programs.
- Nearly 200 schools are on a waiting list as demand outstrips capacity.
- Families contribute what they can, with meals costing as little as $1.
Demand for affordable school meals is surging across Quebec, with the La Cantine pour tous program now serving 263 schools and over 84,000 students. Despite this expansion, nearly 200 schools remain on a waiting list as the need surpasses the organization's current capacity.
The program's success is partly attributed to its flexible payment model, allowing families to pay as little as $1 per meal, with those able contributing a solidarity price of $8. This approach ensures that financial barriers do not prevent students from accessing nutritious lunches, which are crucial for concentration and academic success.
La Cantine pour tous is urging Quebec's political parties to prioritize school food programs. Recent surveys indicate strong public support for government involvement, with 88% of respondents believing it's important for the government to ensure elementary students have access to healthy lunches and 72% calling for school meals to be a political priority.
