CONESTOGA COLLEGE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 0003 Health Safety & Nutrition ECE1055-Winter 2025-Section 6 Assignment # 1 Unit 1 Part 1: Article Selection Part 2: Summary and Analysis Student Names Fouzia Niaz 8206443 Professor Name Heather Reid Assignment Due Date- Jan 27th at 9am URL from Canadian Newspaper article. New federal funds boost Ontario school meals program by $108M over 3 years | Globalnews.ca According to Global News article about nutritious food in school program, the federal government’s $108.5 million investment in Ontario’s National School Food Program is part of a larger $1 billion, five year initiative to fight against child hunger across Canada. This program expands and access to get free, nutritious school meals, focusing especially on lower and middle class families with low income. It will reduce their financial pressure and benefit their family. There are several benefits to get from this program, and support the social status of families. Impact on Income and Social Status. 1- Families already struggling with rising grocery prices can now depend on school meals to ensure their children are fed. On average, providing meals for school aged children can cost families hundreds of dollars monthly. By covering this expense, the program frees up household income for their necessities like housing, bills, health care or transportation. This program supports low income families and help narrow the gap between socioeconomic classes by reducing food insecurity. 2- Hunger very badly affect children from lower income class, impacting their ability to learn focus and succeed academically. It also affect their self-esteem and identity. By providing healthy meals regardless of their family’s income, the program helps create a more equitable learning environment where children from effected backgrounds have better chance to thrive and nourish. In the long term, better academic performance can lead to improved job opportunities and upward social mobility for these children. 3- The program helps to reduce stigma associated with poverty. Previously, those children relying on subsidized food programs were often singles out, which could effect their confidence and social standing among peers. Providing free meals within schools foster inclusivity and ensures that no hold feels isolated, because of their family’s financial situation. 4- This program supports Indigenous communities, and it allocated additional 130,000 meals for Indigenous children. Food insecurity rates are quite high among them. By accessing healthy meals Indigenous children can contribute better in academic and physical activities. They can contribute better in future for themselves as well as for the world. Societal Benefits This program will create jobs related to food transportation, storage and preparation. It will help local economy, particularly in rural areas. Local farmers, food producers, and suppliers benefits from increased demand for fresh local ingredients. By providing nutritious meals the program reduces the risk of health issues like obesity, diabetes and mal nutrition among children. Healthier children mean reduced healthcare costs for families and for the country. It will help to ease the financial strain on both households and government budgets. Access to nutritious meal is a critical factor in breaking the chain of poverty which was going on from generations among some families. Children who are well fed up are more likely healthy, independent, and confident and they contribute positively to the society. Despite its benefits, critics argue that the program currently only covers 7.7% of Ontario’s 2 million school children, leaving many still without access. They also caution against potential bureaucratic inefficiencies, claiming that not all funds may directly benefits children. Conclusion The National School Food Program is a vital step towards addressing food insecurity, reducing financial stress on families and children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. It is every child’s right to get their basic needs, food is the first and most vital for a child. Healthy child is the future of any society, for any nation people are its pillar, and those pillars are holding the whole country. National Food Program is a great initiative to make the nation strong and healthy. The only concern is, how long will it take to implement it hundred percent.
