New Brunswick is set to expand its school lunch program this fall, with a pilot project already underway at 25 schools, including École Les Éclaireurs in Fredericton. Families will pay a shared-cost of $4 per meal for students from kindergarten to Grade 8 and $5 for those in grades 9 to 12. Education Minister Claire Johnson highlighted the positive feedback received from both parents and students, noting that the program is still being refined. Originally intended to be a universal free lunch program, the initiative has shifted to a shared-cost model due to budget constraints. Families can opt to pay full price for meals, approximately $7 or $8, or choose the subsidized rates. The government has committed $26 million to support the program next year. Jane Buckley, executive director of the Oromocto Food Bank, emphasized the importance of such programs in combating food insecurity, stating that many children currently attend school without adequate nutrition. The new program aims to provide students with at least one nutritious meal daily, potentially increasing to two meals with the breakfast initiative.