LET'S CLOSE THE SUMMER FOOD GAP

We can reach 100,000 Canadians next summer, while building the foundation for a National Summer Food Strategy.

For families already struggling with food costs, summer can mean higher grocery and child-care expenses just as school-based food supports disappear. A National Summer Food Strategy will close the gap.

THE PROBLEM

  
    1 in 4 Canadian children lives in a food-insecure household.
  
    School food stops in June. Food insecurity does not.
  
    Summer costs more. Families face increased food and child-care costs just as school-based supports disappear.
  
    The consequences extend beyond hunger. Poor nutrition affects children’s health, learning and ability to thrive.

THE SOLUTION

Canada has invested in grocery affordability, school food, local food infrastructure and northern food security. A Summer Food Strategy would address the seasonal gap and help families afford food, support community-based food programs, and ensure children continue to have access to nutritious food and learning throughout July and August.

We are asking the federal government to invest $10 million to launch a national Summer Food Strategy, which would:

Improve food access: Expand direct-to-family grocery support, cooking programs and nutrition education in high-priority communities.
Scale grassroots solutions: Invest directly in community organizations already growing, distributing and teaching about food during the summer.
Build a national network: Connect summer food organizations across Canada to share resources, evidence, measurement and best practices.

$10 MILLION WILL MEAN

Summer is the missing piece in Canada’s food security strategy.

We are building a national network of organizations, researchers, community leaders and advocates who support a $10 million federal investment in summer food.

Your endorsement adds your voice to a joint letter to federal decision-makers supporting the creation of a National Summer Food Strategy. There is no financial commitment.

Want to learn more? Review the draft budget proposal or contact susan@summerlunchplus.com.

LET'S BUILD STRONG CANADIANS

Thank You!