A funding announcement by the federal government late last month in Apex may have Nunavummiut breathing a little easier when it comes to food security.

Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was at Nanook School on Feb. 28 to announce $7.6 million over the next three years for the territory through the National School Food Program at Nanook School.

SA国际影视传媒淸This] investment means that all kids throughout the territory will have access to nutrition,SA国际影视传媒� said Sudds. 

Sudds said a family with two children could save around $800 per year in food costs under the program, which is slated to include country food items.

SA国际影视传媒淚've travelled across the territory, from every community,SA国际影视传媒� said Premier PJ Akeeagok, who was there for the announcement. "I've seen first hand the importance of breakfast programs of getting kids to school. It has that much of an impact when [children] know there's a nutritious hot meal waiting for them either in the morning or through lunch."

Education Minister Pamela Hakongak-Gross was also on hand as well as Health Minister John Main, Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, and Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Lightstone, whom Akeeagok credited with consistently advocating for such an initiative for many years.

Hakongak-Gross said the funding announcement will allow her department to hire staff that can support school food programming.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur hope is that this funding will allow the creation of paid positions in schools to support food programming, the improvement of our school kitchens, and increase in country food for our students,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Main said the announcement was great news, but wanted to ensure funding for complimentary programs remained stable.

SA国际影视传媒淧rograms like the Inuit Child First Initiative have been instrumental in ensuring children in nutritious meals, but with the uncertainty around its future, we can't afford any gaps in support," he said. "You must continue advocating for long-term secure funding to ensure that no child goes without the food they need.SA国际影视传媒�

The initiative is due to end in April, but Sudds told SA国际影视传媒 that the federal government is committed to keeping it going. 

"There's a commitment on behalf of our government for many years to make sure that we do right by the Inuit community," she said. "We support them so that they can thrive.SA国际影视传媒�