New Partnership Promises to Reduce Food Insecurity in Schools So Students Can Focus On Learning

Today at Regina Public Schools’ Seven Stones School, representatives of the Regina Food Bank, the Regina Board of Education and Regina Public Schools senior administration announced a new partnership for the benefit of students and their learning.

The Federal Government’s National School Food Program (NSFP) teamed with the support of the Government of Saskatchewan has provided funding to help feed students and bolster the nutrition programs that Regina Public Schools already had in place. Working to leverage this funding, the school division has been working with the Regina Food Bank to develop a partnership that will maximize the available NSFP funding.

“Supporting children experiencing food insecurity requires strong collaboration," said John Bailey, CEO of Regina Food Bank. "By working alongside Regina Public Schools and leveraging our food procurement and distribution expertise, we're able to stretch public investment further, free up capacity for school staff to devote to working directly with students, and ensure more students have consistent access to nutritious food so they can focus on learning, playing and being kids both inside and outside the classroom.”

“A young person who can only focus on their empty belly, can’t focus on learning,” says Adam Hicks, Chairperson Regina Public Schools. “This partnership with the Regina Food Bank leverages their expertise in cost-effective, nutritious food procurement, food preparation and delivery. This frees up our schools and our teaching and support staff to focus on what they do best – teaching and helping students reach their fullest learning and social potential.”

The Regina Public Schools (RPS) -- Regina Food Bank (RFB) partnership will result in

• Leveraging RFBs procurement and distribution networks to deliver food to schools at a lower cost than previously possible.

• A greater reach throughout the city of Regina meaning more hungry students will have access to nutritious food

• Phase 1 began on January 13 serving seven schools: Arcola, Connaught, Dr. George Ferguson, Glen Elm, Kitchener, Seven Stones and Thomson schools.

• Phase 2 beginning after February 2, 2026, will add five additional schools to the program.

• Phase 3, estimated to begin in early March 2026, will include seven additional schools.

• The phased approach will allow schools and their staff to provide real-time feedback and can help solidify the partnership.

• Funding for the first year of this phased approach is $320,000.

When fully operational, the RPS/RFB partnership will result in approximately 19,000 students in 19 school communities benefiting from the nutrition program.

For more information please contact info@reginafoodbank.ca.