Bill 293: Universal School Food Act

Local farmers, fishers, food producers, processors, and suppliers across Nova Scotia stand to benefit directly, as the bill mandates that at least 20% of all food ingredients purchased for the programs must be locally sourced — with the expectation that percentage will grow over time. Food service companies, caterers, and distributors who supply school nutrition programs will face new procurement, food handling, and dietary accommodation standards set by the Minister. Businesses providing halal, kosher, allergen-free, vegan, or other specialty food products will see increased institutional demand as schools are required to offer appropriate alternatives to every student. The scale of the program — covering every public school on every instructional day province-wide — means this is a significant ongoing government procurement opportunity, relevant to both small local producers and larger food service operations.