Province provides $1.4 million to support Kids Eat Smart programs

The provincial government is providing approximately $1.4 million to the Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador to support school breakfast programs across the province.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Paul Dinn announced the $1,393,700 in funding Tuesday during the launch of Kids Eat Smart Week at East Point Elementary in St. John’s.

The Kids Eat Smart program provides breakfast at schools and community centres at no cost to families.

The foundation operates 275 Kids Eat Smart Clubs across Newfoundland and Labrador, serving about 47,000 breakfast meals each school day. That amounts to approximately 6.3 million meals during a school year.

“Kids Eat Smart Week is a time to celebrate everyone in our schools and communities who make food at school happen,” said Celina Stoyles, executive director of the Kids Eat Smart Foundation NL.

Stoyles said the provincial funding is part of a broader $5.8-million program supported by government, donors, partners, schools, volunteers and communities.

The annual Kids Eat Smart Week runs October 5-9 and highlights the work of volunteers, schools and community organizations involved in providing food to students.

Thousands of students are also expected to take part in the Kids Eat Smart Province-Wide Walk for Breakfast on Wednesday.

The foundation says the week also provides an opportunity for students to learn about nutritious eating and the importance of starting the school day with healthy food.