The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is a provincial lunch program that will offer public school students across Nova Scotia nutritious lunch every school day.
Providing Affordable Lunch to Students Throughout Nova Scotia
This October, phase one of the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program will launch in more than 250 schools across the province. Families will be able to order affordable lunches through an online pay-what-you-can system that lets them confidentially pay what they are able.
In future school years, the program will grow to include all public schools in the province.
As we get closer to the start of the school lunch program, more information on menu options, the ordering process and other details will be shared with families and school communities. You can also always check NSLunch.ca for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
We asked families and members of school communities for their questions about Nova Scotia’s new School Lunch Program. Here are your most asked questions!
As we get closer to the launch of the School Lunch Program in October, NSLunch.ca will be updated with more information including pictures and ingredients for lunches and ordering information.
About the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program
What is the Nova Scotia school lunch program?
The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is a provincial lunch program that offers public school students in Nova Scotia nutritious and affordable lunch every school day.
Is the program available in all schools?
Schools that are not part of this first phase of the School Lunch Program will join the program in future school years. In the meantime, junior high and high schools will still offer free breakfast.
Will school lunch program lunches be affordable?
What you pay is kept confidential from school and lunch program staff. There is no need to explain or prove why your family has chosen to pay the amount you select.
Will the program replace existing school lunch programs?
All schools will still have free breakfast and many of the special food programs are continuing.
School Lunch Program in Action
How will the program be implemented in schools?
Each school is unique, with different facilities and lunch operations. The School Lunch Program is flexible and being delivered according to the needs of individual schools. Each school has one of three delivery models for their School Lunch Program:
- School staff make lunches in the school
- An outside company makes lunches in the school
- An outside company makes and delivers lunches to the school
The program model does not affect the menu options, ordering process or quality of lunches.
Will food be locally sourced?
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are used whenever possible, promoting healthy eating habits and supporting local farmers.
How will schools handle food waste?
The School Lunch Program menu minimizes food waste. The team will also be tracking food waste and making adjustments to make sure there is no unnecessary waste.
Who can I talk to for more information?
More information will be shared as we get closer to the start of the School Lunch Program in October.
Once the program launches, you can speak to your child’s school or reach out to your regional School Food Program Lead with any specific questions about the School Lunch Program.
Ordering and Payment
When does ordering start?
How do I order lunch?
The School Lunch Program uses an online ordering system. Before the program starts in October, you will be able to come to this website and create an account. An app will be available for ordering as well. The ordering system will be easy to use and there will be support materials to help you get started.
Families will order lunches in two-week cycles, choosing between two lunch options for each school day.
How much do lunches cost?
The cost of a meal will be $6.50.
Keep in mind that lunches will be affordable for every family because the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is pay-what-you-can. After choosing lunches, the ordering system will give families three payment options: pay the $6.50 cost of the lunch, pay a part of the cost, or pay nothing.
What you pay is kept confidential from school and lunch program staff.
How do I pay?
Lunches are paid for in the online ordering system. After choosing lunches, the ordering system will take you to a payment screen. On the payment screen, families will see three payment options: pay the cost of the lunch, pay a part of the cost, or pay nothing.
You will be able to make a secure payment using a credit card.
How will the "pay-what-you-can" model work?
Lunches will be affordable for every family because the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is pay-what-you-can. After choosing lunches, the ordering system will give families three payment options: pay the cost of the lunch, pay a part of the cost, or pay nothing.
What a family pays is kept confidential from school and lunch program staff. There is no need to explain or prove why your family has chosen to pay the amount you select.
We encourage families to pay for meals if they can. Paying for lunches helps ensure the sustainability of Nova Scotia’s School Lunch Program and makes sure every student has access to nutritious food at school.
Can I make a donation to the program?
There will be opportunities for individuals and businesses to make donations to the School Lunch Program.
Who will be able to order?
At the start of the school year, students and families will be able to create an account and order lunches. Schools and regional staff as well as community organizations will also be able to support families and help order lunches on their behalf, if needed.
Menu
What kind of meals will be provided through the School Lunch Program?
The School Lunch Program will offer a rotating menu of 40 lunches, offering families a choice between two options every school day. We are working with chefs and dieticians to make sure all lunches are nutritious and provide students with a mix of familiar favourites and new flavours.
Once the full menu is ready, it will be posted on our menu webpage. For now, you can check out a sneak peek of some foods that will be on our lunch menu.
Will there be a variety of food options available?
Families will be able to choose between two lunch options every school day. There will be one vegetarian (no meat) offered each day. In total, there will be 40 menu options that rotate weekly when the School Lunch Program starts in October.
Once the full menu is ready, it will be posted on our menu webpage. For now, you can check out a sneak peek of some foods that will be on our lunch menu.
Will the program offer hot meals?
Some lunches are hot meals.
What about lunches for students with allergies and dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, halal, kosher, etc.)?
We want all students to be able to take part in the School Lunch Program and have tried to create lunch options that work for as many students as possible.
When ordering, families will be able to see the ingredients in each meal and make the best decision for their child. We can’t guarantee that meals are 100 per cent allergen free due to the risk of cross-contamination.
Will the food be healthy and nutritious?
Nova Scotia has a School Food and Nutrition Policy and is developing new Food and Beverage Standards that ensure all food in our schools is healthy and nutritious.
Will the program offer options for picky eaters?
Students and families will be able to see pictures of lunches and a full list of ingredients so they can see and talk about what’s for lunch and decide if they want to order lunch on any given day.
Families can choose to participate in the School Lunch Program or pack a lunch for their child on any given day.
Will the program accommodate cultural food preferences?
We are working with chefs and dieticians to make sure lunches are nutritious and provide students with a mix of familiar favourites and new flavours.
Example Lunches
Some of the lunches that will be part of the school lunch program starting this October.
Click the images of the lunches below to get more information about the dish.
Picnic Plate with Chicken and Vegetables
Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Rice
Mini Cheese Pizza with Vegetables and Fruit
Macaroni and Cheese with Vegetables
Chicken Ranch Wrap with Vegetables and Fruit
Program Rollout Schedule: Phase One Schools
Across Nova Scotia, more than 250 schools are part of phase one of the School Lunch Program. Schools taking part in phase one during the 2024-25 school year are listed below.
Phase one schools will have different lunch program start dates throughout October, with the ordering system opening to families more than a week before the first lunch is served in their school. The ordering window dates and start dates for each school will be available by early September.
Select your region or school board:
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Aldershot Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Annapolis East Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Berwick and District School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bridgetown Regional Community School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Brooklyn District Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Baddeck Academy | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Boularderie School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bras d’Or Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Brookland Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Cape Smokey Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| A.G. Baillie Memorial | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Advocate District | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bible Hill Consolidated | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Brookfield Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Chiganois Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Centre scolaire de la Rive-Sud | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Centre scolaire Étoile de l’Acadie | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| École acadienne de Pomquet | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| École acadienne de Truro | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| École Beaubassin | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral Westphal Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Alderney Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Astral Drive Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Atlantic Memorial Terence Bay Elementary | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
South Shore Regional Centre for Education
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Aspotogan Consolidated Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bayview Community School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Big Tancook Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bluenose Academy | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bridgewater Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Strait Regional Centre for Education
Starting this October, 15 SRCE schools will be part of phase one of the school lunch program.
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Antigonish Education Centre | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Bayview Education Centre | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
Starting this October, 15 TCRCE schools will be part of phase one of the school lunch program.
| School | First order date | First lunch date |
|---|---|---|
| Carleton Consolidated Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Clark’s Harbour Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Digby Elementary School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Digby Neck Consolidated School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
| Drumlin Heights Consolidated School | TBD | TBD – October 2024 |
Picnic Plate with Chicken and Vegetables
INGREDIENTS: Chicken, hummus (garlic, chickpeas, tahini, canola oil, lemon juice, water, salt), red bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, honeydew melon, whole wheat pitas, Ranch dressing (dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill, pepper, salt, mayonnaise, plain yogurt, apple cider vinegar).
We cannot guarantee that meals are 100% allergen free due to risk of cross-contamination.
Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Rice
INGREDIENTS: Ground beef, brown rice, onion, lentils, carrots, red or green peppers, breadcrumbs, eggs, broccoli, garlic, sauce and vegetables (carrots, pineapple, peppers, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, canola oil, powdered ginger, cornstarch), salt, pepper.
We cannot guarantee that meals are 100% allergen free due to risk of cross-contamination.
Mini Cheese Pizza with Vegetables and Fruit
INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat pita, Pizza Sauce (tomatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, canola oil, dried oregano, salt, water), mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, red or green peppers, carrots, pineapple.
We cannot guarantee that meals are 100% allergen free due to risk of cross-contamination.
Macaroni and Cheese with Vegetables
INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat macaroni, sweet potatoes, milk, cheddar cheese, carrots, margarine, all-purpose flour, cheddar cheese, mustard powder, salt
We cannot guarantee that meals are 100% allergen free due to risk of cross-contamination.
Chicken Ranch Wrap with Vegetables and Fruit
INGREDIENTS: Whole wheat tortillas, chicken breast or thighs, romaine lettuce, carrots, cheddar cheese, Ranch dressing (dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill, pepper, salt, mayonnaise, plain yogurt, apple cider vinegar), peaches.
We cannot guarantee that meals are 100% allergen free due to risk of cross-contamination.