B.C. Green Party calls for food program in province’s schools

The B.C. Green Party is calling for free lunches at every school across the province, hoping to start a universal food program to combat child poverty.

Although, the party’s leader says she doesn’t know what that would cost B.C.

“Look to what’s already working in some school districts, look at local community partners, look to local farmers as a source for local, nutritious food, and recognize that in this we’re looking at solutions to a number of problems including increasing our food security locally,” Sonia Furstenau said.

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau is calling for free lunches at schools across the province. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)

Katherine King has three kids and tells CityNews that her two older boys get lunch every day at their school — taking a huge weight off her shoulders.

“For summer time I had to pack some lunches here and there and I definitely saw a decrease in my money,” she said.

“I notice with my savings, it’s getting dipped into because of how much inflation has been going up — especially with families who are not in poverty but are low income, to make lunch for not one but multiple children, it definitely takes a bite out of your budget.”

The province pledged $214 million over three years toward expanding food programs in schools in this year’s budget, and the Vancouver School Board says that money will help feed up to 800 more students in the district this year.

The need for government help extends beyond school hours as well.

Union Gospel Mission (UGM) — a downtown charity — gets requests for emergency food hampers and enough groceries to last for two to three days. Spokesperson Nicole Mucci says UGM now sends out nearly 400 hampers a month.

“A universal school lunch program might be a good start, but I think we have to remember that kids might be going hungry every day of the year,” she said.

Related articles:

• B.C. teachers still struggling with extra costs: Union president

• Children’s report outlines rise in food insecurity, other threats

• B.C. kids struggle with hunger; calls grow for national school food program

Meanwhile, King says she’s talked to other parents who are also relieved their kids can get free lunch at school, but she thinks that should be available for everyone.

“I’m able to see my bank account rise again, especially with Christmas around the corner — I can spend a little bit extra money on clothing if I need to, or anything special that comes up.”