National School Food Program – 2025 to 2027 Action Plan – Northwest Territories

Section 1 - Introduction/Overview

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) distributes funding to ten education bodies who oversee forty-nine Northwest Territories (NWT) schools, for breakfast, snack and/or lunch programming, accessible by 100% of students, through the Healthy Food for Learning Program. The annual investment in school food programming in fiscal year 2024 to 2025 was $650,000 and is anticipated for the remainder of the Canada-Northwest Territories School Food Agreement.

The Northwest Territories Education Act requires the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to take steps necessary to maintain standards for the education program at the highest level possible. It additionally requires education bodies to provide support services necessary for the delivery of the education program. The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act outlines the authority of the Minister to enter into funding agreements with the Federal Government to support this programming. Education bodies determine how to distribute their allocated funding and considerations are given to the disparities in cost of food, availability of food, and cost of infrastructure, all which differ between Yellowknife, regional centres and small communities.

The Healthy Food for Learning Program is supported by the Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework and aims to increase the capacity of schools to provide healthy meals and/or snacks to students. Current program funding is aimed at food spending and does not cover essential program components such as staffing and program delivery needs (such as, training and kitchen equipment). Program funding has remained at $650,000 per year distributed among ten education bodies since 2015.

The National School Food Program (NSFP) continues to advance the Government of the Northwest Territories’ commitment to equitable access to nutritious food for all students. The year two to three planning cycle outlines targeted investments across schools to enhance infrastructure, expand programming, and support culturally relevant and sustainable food systems.

Strategic Priority Areas for Investment

1. Infrastructure and Equipment Modernization

   A significant number of schools will receive kitchen equipment upgrades, enabling safe and efficient preparation of nutritious meals.

2. Nutritional Quality Enhancements

   Many schools are improving the nutritional value of meals, including the integration of traditional and culturally appropriate foods.

3. Human Resource Development

   Schools are expanding capacity through the hiring of staff, including cooks and cultural knowledge holders, to support daily operations and culturally relevant programming.

4. Program Expansion

   Numerous schools are implementing daily hot breakfast and lunch programs, ensuring consistent access to nutritious meals throughout the school day.

5. Food Safety and Literacy

   Several schools are incorporating Food Safe Certification and school garden initiatives, promoting food literacy and environmental sustainability

School food programming in the territory is supported by the GNWT, Government of Canada (Indigenous Services Canada), not-for-profit sector, and private sector. The scope and scale of programs varies by school and education body. It is unknown currently whether for-profit businesses contribute to program delivery, nor does the GNWT currently have information on the level of funding raised by outside sources. The GNWT Department of ECE distributes funding to NWT schools for breakfast, snack and lunch programming through the Healthy Food for Learning Program.

In addition to the Healthy Food for Learning Program, the Government of Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) has additional funding available to schools, via application, through the School Health Promotion Fund (envelope of $200,000 annually starting in April 2025). The parameters of this funding allow schools to address their school and community’s unique health promotion priorities.

Some schools have benefited from donations or supports supplied to them by local businesses such as grocery stores. They have also benefited from donations or supports supplied to them by the resource development industry through impact-benefit agreements.

NWT schools can further apply for additional funding through direct and indirect funding sources (not-for-profit and private). Applications and support provisions are on an individual school basis.

Current direct funding sources for school food programs include:

• Breakfast Club of Canada
• Food First Foundation (NWT nongovernmental organization (NGO))
• Jordan’s Principle
• Child First Initiative
• President’s Choice Children’s Charity
• Farm Credit Canada ($1,000 per school in Indigenous communities)
• Northwest Company Sponsorship and Donations

Current indirect funding sources for school food programs include:

• School-Community partnerships with local Indigenous organizations
• As partners of Non-Government Organizations, Indigenous or Community governments can access the GNWT’s Community Wellness Initiatives, Anti-Poverty and Healthy Choices Funds (funds go to partners which can then be distributed to schools)
• Canadian Feed the Children (funds go to Indigenous governments which can then be distributed to schools).

Specific to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), in 2021, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation’s (IRC) began supporting school food programs in their region, which consists of seven schools and approximately 1,200 students. This program includes a range of supports including breakfasts, lunches, and summer meal support for families. Each community’s food program takes its own form and runs supportively, albeit independently, from the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council, the education body that oversees the schools in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Gwich’in Settlement Region.

Funding distributed to schools through the Healthy Food for Learning Program has been designated for the purchase of healthy and nutritious food for all NWT children and youth. Types of school food programs include, for example, breakfast, lunch and snack programs or support for traditional food days and cooking classes. Schools who have sought additional funding sources have food programs that further include the provision of meals and snacks for sport or special events, after school programs, grocery cards and weekly and/or weekend take home food programs for families experiencing food insecurity.

Following the integrity of the Healthy Food for Learning Program, federal food funding will not be used for programming outside of the school day/year such as the above noted after school programs, grocery cards and weekly/weekend take home offerings.

Reports on School Food Programs are noted within Northwest Territories Education Body Annual Reports. The 2024 to 2025 Annual Reports will be publicly available February 2026. Reports are published on the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly website.

The University of Saskatchewan and Coalition for Healthy School Food recently published “School Food Programs in Canada: 15 Promising Cases” (2024). In this report a case study looks at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation’s School Food Program in two Northwest Territories remote coastal communities. Both school communities are part of the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council.

Section 2 – Implementation plan 

Over the next two fiscal years, the National School Food Program (NSFP) investment will assist NWT schools in focusing on strengthening and expanding school food programming. The primary objectives are to enhance program delivery, improve food quality, and ensure equitable access for all students.

Key areas of focus include:

• infrastructure and equipment modernization: Upgrade kitchen equipment in multiple schools to support the safe and efficient preparation of nutritious meals. This action will improve food service operations and help ensure students have access to healthy food options.
• nutritional quality enhancements: Investments will be made to increase the quantity and variety of food available.
• human resource development: Several schools plan to hire additional personnel and support staff training; including food safety certification. These efforts aim to improve program coordination, ensure safe food handling, and expand capacity to serve more students.
• program expansion: Investments to scale up existing programs to reach more students and ensuring consistent delivery of meals throughout the year.
• food safety and literacy: Implement Food Safe Certification programs and school garden initiatives in some schools to enhance food literacy and promote environmental sustainability.

The NWT’s approach aligns with national priorities by promoting health, inclusivity, and sustainability, while ensuring programs are responsive to local needs and accountable in their delivery.

The National School Food Program (NSFP) represents a strategic investment in the health, equity, and well-being of students across the Northwest Territories. Grounded in the six principles of Canada’s National School Food Policy, this planning cycle reflects a comprehensive and community-driven approach to school food programming.

Accessibility

The expansion of daily hot meal programs promotes universal access to food in a stigma-free manner. These initiatives ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have consistent access to healthy meals.

Health-Promoting

Inclusive and Culturally Appropriate

The integration of traditional foods, hiring of Elders, and culturally relevant cooking programs reflect a commitment to inclusivity. These activities honor Indigenous foodways and support diverse cultural identities within school communities.

Flexible

By empowering schools to hire local staff and tailor programming to community needs (for example, garden boxes, local food use), NSFP fosters a flexible, community-led approach. This ensures programming is responsive and rooted in local knowledge and priorities.

Accountable

Through initiatives such as food safety certification, structured staff roles, and detailed documentation of infrastructure and programmatic investments, the program enables transparent oversight and consistent evaluation.

Sustainable

Initiatives such as school gardens and infrastructure upgrades (for example, energy-efficient kitchen equipment) contribute to environmental sustainability. These efforts promote local food systems, reduce waste, and support climate-conscious practices.

Appendix A outlines the proposed programming, corresponding indicators, federal allocation for each fiscal year and expected targets. All initiatives have a two-year timeframe for implementation.

Section 3 – Indicators, targets and expected results 

The NWT commits to report annually to Canada, no later than October 1 of each year, on common indicators as outlined below, along with targets to be reached by June 2026 and by June 2027. Complete common indicators table in Appendix B to be appended to annual reports as an annex. The NWT reporting on these indicators contributes to Canada’s public reporting to Canadians.

The indicators are:

• number of NWT-operated schools within NWT
• number of school aged children attending NWT-operated schools
• NWT-operated schools offering school food programming
• number of children and youth participating in school food programming by school or number of meals served by school through school food programs
• number of NWT-operated schools offering number of i) breakfast program; ii) lunch program; iii) snack program; iv) “other” school food program
• number of NWT-operated schools offering school food programs that accommodate diverse dietary needs (such as allergy-safe, gluten free, lactose-free, halal, kosher, vegetarian, etc.)
• number of school-aged children who participate in school food programming in NWT schools by type of program offered: i) breakfast program; ii) lunch program; iii) snack program; iv) “other” school food program
• number of NWT-operated schools that offer school food programming that is universal
• number NWT-operated schools that are offering new and/or enhanced school food programming (for example, programming was not offered the prior school year)
• number of school-aged children participating in NWT-operated schools offering new and/or enhanced school food programming
• number of NWT schools purchasing traditional foods or adding new food items with higher nutritional value
• number of NWT schools that have improved kitchen infrastructure through renovations or purchase of new equipment
• number of NWT schools providing food safety training to staff and volunteers
• number of new staff hired by NWT schools to support a foods program

Further information on NWT schools (such as names and their postal codes) have been provided in Appendix D. Details on each school’s food program are specific to funding provided solely by the GNWT, through Healthy Food for Learning Program, in 2023 to 2024.

Section 4 – Expenditures 

As part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ ongoing commitment to enhancing student well-being and educational outcomes through improved nutrition, the targeted investments across participating schools are designed to strengthen food security, support culturally relevant programming, and ensure the sustainability of school-based nutrition initiatives.

Key Areas of Investment

The 2025 to 2026 funding allocation of $2,567,684 will be distributed to NWT schools to support the following:

• infrastructure and equipment modernization (Kitchen Upgrades): 32 schools
• infrastructure and equipment modernization (Renovations): 6 schools
• human resource development (Staff Hiring): 15 schools
• food safety and literacy (Food Safety Certification): 5 schools
• food safety and literacy (Gardens): 6 schools
• program expansion (New Meal Programs): 19 schools
• nutritional quality enhancements (improve nutritional value, include traditional and culturally appropriate foods): 49 schools

This strategic allocation of resources reflects a holistic approach to student nutrition, emphasizing equity, cultural relevance, and operational sustainability. The NSFP continues to align with territorial priorities for health, education, and community well-being.

Section 5 – Indigenous collaboration 

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) engaged with 13 Indigenous Governments in the Northwest Territories from March 14^th to April 4^th, 2025 to hear from them about the strengths and weaknesses of the preliminary Action Plan (2024 to 2025), as well as their ideas to expand commitments, indicators, and targets to inform the development of this 2025 to 2027 Action Plan.

ECE officials met with staff from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) in April 2025 to share the details of the Agreement and how the spending of federal funding is at the discretion of the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council (BDDEC). IRC staff confirmed the need for them to connect directly with BDDEC Superintendent to discuss food planning for the 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 school years.

ECE did not receive any feedback for inclusion in this action plan from any of the remaining 12 Indigenous Governments.

Section 6 – Official language minority communities (OLMCs)

The GNWT engaged with Commission Scolaire Francophone des Territoires Du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO) to ensure that this program is inclusive of those students who are part of the French Language Minority Community. Engagement involved email communication to the Superintendent requesting CSFTNOs implementation plan for 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027, as well as requesting feedback on the 2025 to 2027 Action Plan.

The Food Funding Allocation uses the Median After-Tax Income Allocator and Food Price Indexes to determine funding amounts. CSFTNO receives the third lowest NSFP funding allocation of all education bodies in the territory, as they have the third smallest student population (234) and operate in Yellowknife and Hay River – where food costs are lower relative to other more remote communities.

To ensure ongoing collaboration and transparency throughout the implementation of the 2025 to 2027 Action Plan, we are committed to maintaining an open and consistent dialogue with CSFTNO stakeholders through email and phone communication. Through interim and annual reporting, we will review progress, share updates and address any emerging issues or opportunities.

Section 7 – Reporting 

The NWT commits to sharing an annual report and audited financial statement with Canada for each of the two fiscal years no later than October 1, 2026 and October 1, 2027, outlining the investments and results of the previous fiscal year.

The annual report will show the results attributable to the funding provided by Canada under the Agreement, including:

• results for common indicators as set out in Section 3 of the Action Plan, for each year
• narrative description of the activities, expenditures and results, as set out in Section 2 of the Action Plan, for each fiscal year
• narrative description of consultation processes with Indigenous peoples, official language minority communities as well as parents, students and stakeholders

The NWT commits to continued collaboration with Canada to improve data collection and dissemination on key school food indicators, including exploring the collection of outcomes- based (in contrast to reach-based) indicators to measure the broader impact of school food programming on areas such as academic performance, attendance rates, mental or physical wellbeing, etc., including, but not limited to, sharing interim data for common indicators as available (for example, quarterly, semi-annually, etc.).

Appendix A: National School Food Policy principles summary table 

Appendix B: Common Reporting Indicators Table

Appendix C: Financial Summary Table

Appendix D: 2023 to 2024 NWT School Food Programming