An opposition bill would ensure every student in our province receives at least one healthy meal each day at school by next fall.

The NDP introduced the proposed bill during the fall sitting of the legislature on Tuesday, but it needs support from the governing PC’s to pass.

Leader Claudia Chender believes giving hungry children a healthy meal would make a real difference for thousands of families.

“Nova Scotia families are finding it harder and harder to keep up with the rising cost of groceries and we know that children across this province are going without enough to eat,” said Chender. “A universal school food program would help make sure that students across this province get the food they need so that they can stay healthy and focused on learning.”

Nova Scotia was the only province to receive an F grade in the recent Food Banks Canada report on its efforts to reduce poverty.

“We have some of the highest child poverty rates in the country and we can’t continue to ignore the serious issues that are fueled by poverty,” said Community Services spokesperson Kendra Coombes.

The province has a universal breakfast program in its schools, but does not provide a program for free lunches to all students.

The federal government agreed to support a universal lunch program in 2021, and the province has stated it is waiting for funding details before moving forward.