A funding announcement by the federal government late last month in Apex may have Nunavummiut breathing a little easier when it comes to food security.
Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was at Nanook School on Feb. 28 to announce $7.6 million over the next three years for the territory through the National School Food Program at Nanook School.
“[This] investment means that all kids throughout the territory will have access to nutrition,” said Sudds.
Sudds said a family with two children could save around $800 per year in food costs under the program, which is slated to include country food items.
“I've travelled across the territory, from every community,” said Premier PJ Akeeagok, who was there for the announcement. "I've seen first hand the importance of breakfast programs of getting kids to school. It has that much of an impact when [children] know there's a nutritious hot meal waiting for them either in the morning or through lunch."
Education Minister Pamela Hakongak-Gross was also on hand as well as Health Minister John Main, Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, and Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Lightstone, whom Akeeagok credited with consistently advocating for such an initiative for many years.
Hakongak-Gross said the funding announcement will allow her department to hire staff that can support school food programming.
“Our hope is that this funding will allow the creation of paid positions in schools to support food programming, the improvement of our school kitchens, and increase in country food for our students,” she said.
Main said the announcement was great news, but wanted to ensure funding for complimentary programs remained stable.
“Programs like the Inuit Child First Initiative have been instrumental in ensuring children in nutritious meals, but with the uncertainty around its future, we can't afford any gaps in support," he said. "You must continue advocating for long-term secure funding to ensure that no child goes without the food they need.”
The initiative is due to end in April, but Sudds told NNSL Media that the federal government is committed to keeping it going.
"There's a commitment on behalf of our government for many years to make sure that we do right by the Inuit community," she said. "We support them so that they can thrive.”
