FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BC AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM FOUNDATION UNVEILS REBRANDED “FRESH FOR KIDS” PROGRAM TO ENHANCE STUDENT NUTRITION AND SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY
VANCOUVER (April 2, 2025) – The BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (“BCAITC”) is proud to announce the launch of “Fresh for Kids,” a revitalized program dedicated to combating food insecurity in schools by providing fresh, locally sourced food to students across BC. Building on a 20-year legacy, this evolution of the former School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program ensures that students continue to have access to nutritious food, while also supporting local farmers and strengthening BC’s domestic food economy.
Since 2004, BCAITC has worked with BC schools to deliver high-quality, locally grown food to students, reinforcing the link between nutrition and academic success. The rebrand to Fresh for Kids comes in response to changes in provincial funding, which have shifted decision-making about food sourcing from centralized program administration to individual school districts. Fresh for Kids makes it easier to access fresh, local food by providing the infrastructure, supplier relationships, and logistical support needed to efficiently deliver high-quality products directly to schools—anywhere in BC. This ensures that schools have an effective, cost-efficient solution to continue prioritizing nutrition.
“This program is essential in ensuring that BC students continue to have access to fresh, local food, no matter where they go to school,” said Pat Tonn, Executive Director of BCAITC. “With Fresh for Kids, we’re not only making sure children are well-fed with the highest-quality ingredients, but we’re also supporting BC farmers and keeping our local food systems strong. Now more than ever, we need the public’s support to make sure this program continues to reach every student in the province.”
Fresh for Kids provides a proven, scalable solution that ensures students continue receiving high-quality, BC-grown food. With its established relationships with local farmers, producers, and distributors, BCAITC allows schools to maximize their purchasing power, something that individual schools and districts may struggle to do on their own.
“Children are fueled by nutritious food and the new Fresh for Kids program can provide them with more options to enjoy healthy, locally sourced food from B.C. farmers and producers,” said Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture. “As we continue to highlight the need to Buy BC and move away from our reliance on U.S. imports, we will spotlight B.C. farmers, B.C. producers and B.C. processors in every way possible.”
The program works alongside Feeding Futures, a Provincial investment in annual funding to school districts to create and expand school food programs, and the National School Food Program, a federal investment over three years for BC.
Not all of BC’s 60 school districts are currently funding participation in Fresh for Kids, making public support more critical than ever. BCAITC has set an annual fundraising target of $5 million to help bridge this gap and ensure that all students have access to nutritious food. A donation of just $10 can support the program for one student for an entire year, making an immediate and meaningful impact.
Beyond ensuring children have access to fresh, local food, Fresh for Kids plays a vital role in supporting BC farmers by providing a stable, predictable market for their produce throughout the school year. This reliability is especially crucial given the impact of global trade tensions and tariffs, which have disrupted supply chains and highlighted the need to strengthen BC’s domestic food system. By sourcing directly from BC farms, Fresh for Kids keeps locally grown food in local communities, reinforcing food security and supporting the long-term sustainability of BC agriculture.
Access to nutritious food is fundamental to student well-being and academic success. Research consistently shows that proper nutrition improves cognitive function, focus, and classroom behaviour, while food insecurity is linked to learning challenges, lower test scores, and increased absenteeism. Fresh for Kids not only ensures students have the fuel they need to learn, it also helps them understand where their food comes from through educational resources that connect classroom learning with BC’s local food system. By providing both healthy food and agriculture education, Fresh for Kids helps foster engaged students, healthier school communities, and a stronger connection to local food producers. To learn more or donate, visit www.freshforkids.ca.
– 30 –
About BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation:
The BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) is a non-profit, charitable organization that works with educators to bring BC agriculture and food education to K-12 students throughout the province. Established in 1992 by a group of farmers, teachers, and agriculture enthusiasts, BCAITC has grown to reach over 500,000 students province-wide. The foundation provides a multitude of free, interactive programs and over 500 teacher resources that connect students in BC public, First Nations, and independent schools to agriculture and healthy eating. For more information, visit www.bcaitc.ca.
Media Contact:
Erica Morgan, WILD PR
(403) 478-1357
