The Opposition education critic says the province’s cost of living crisis has reached school cafeterias.
Barry Petten was responding to the School Lunch Association which says the number of families unable to pay for the service grew dramatically in November.
The School Lunch Association provided hot lunches to some 6500 students daily in 41 schools across the province on a “pay-what-you-can” model. In November the number of families unable to pay rose to 1900 from 800 in October.
Today is Giving Tuesday. If you are considering donating to a charity this year, think about giving a child a hot nutritious lunch. Visit https://t.co/obW2MDy544 to donate#givingtuesday2022 #nlschools #YYT #stjohns pic.twitter.com/SLSiPSVDCY
— School Lunch (@SchoolLunchAssn) November 29, 2022
That, says Petten, is “clear evidence” that the cost of living crisis has hit new heights.
He says more resources are needed to ensure sustainability for the organization, calling it “a great equalizer for families in the province.”
Related Story: School Lunch Program Feeling the Pinch Due to Inflation
