Fresh for Kids: Connecting Classrooms to Local Farms Across British Columbia

Supporting student nutrition while strengthening B.C.’s food systems

The Fresh for Kids program is helping ensure that students across British Columbia have consistent access to fresh, local food—while also backing the hard work of B.C. farmers and producers. Run by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC), this revitalized initiative builds on the legacy of the School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program, which has been serving schools since 2004.

With changing provincial school food funding models, local sourcing decisions are now in the hands of individual school districts. Fresh for Kids responds to this shift by offering essential infrastructure and support to streamline how schools get healthy food to students. From logistics and supplier coordination to distribution, the program helps schools—especially in remote or rural communities—deliver high-quality food in a cost-effective way.

“Fresh for Kids is about more than nutrition—it’s about equity, sustainability, and supporting B.C. agriculture,” says Pat Tonn, Executive Director of BCAITC. “We’re proud to help schools overcome barriers and make local food a daily reality for students.”

Through trusted relationships with B.C. farmers, distributors, and producers, Fresh for Kids allows participating schools to stretch their food budgets and purchase a wider variety of produce and products—benefits that are difficult to achieve on a school-by-school basis.

The program also complements broader food security initiatives, including Feeding Futures, the province’s school food funding investment, and aligns with Canada’s upcoming National School Food Program.

As Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham explains, “By fuelling our kids with fresh, B.C.-grown food, we’re supporting local agriculture and building healthier communities. Fresh for Kids helps bring the ‘Buy B.C.’ message to life in our schools.”

Help Us Grow

Not every district in B.C. is currently enrolled in Fresh for Kids. To expand our reach, we’ve launched a province-wide fundraising campaign. Just $10 supports one student’s access to fresh food for an entire year.

Together, we can make a lasting impact in classrooms and on local farms.

Donate today and help build a healthier future: freshforkids.ca/donate