Olivia Chow pledges universal school lunch program, says families could save up to $1,800 per child

Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow has pledged to provide lunch for every student in the city's schools if she is re-elected, claiming the initiative could save families up to $1,800 per child annually. This proposal would build upon the existing school food program, which was expanded under Chow's leadership to reach all schools in Toronto and provide a mid-morning meal to around 330,000 students.

The plan, announced on Monday, aims to gradually introduce full lunches for all students, reducing the burden of daily lunch preparation for families. Chow asserts that the program will be funded similarly to the Morning Meal Program, with phased implementation, testing, and collaboration with provincial and federal governments to achieve its goals by 2030.

She cites her and former Toronto city councillor and federal NDP leader Jack Layton's long-standing advocacy for universal school meals dating back to 1990. Chow argues that universal school lunches would not only ease grocery costs for parents but also help children focus on their studies rather than their hunger. The program would be funded through a similar model as the current school food program, involving contributions from the City of Toronto, other government levels, and private donors.

If enacted, Toronto would join other Canadian and international jurisdictions that have expanded publicly supported school meal programs to tackle child hunger and alleviate financial pressures on parents.