Words BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation
Every school day across British Columbia, something quietly remarkable happens: students in more than 1,500 schools receive fresh, locally grown food, that was planted, harvested and delivered by B.C. farmers who are their neighbours and their community.
For more than two decades, FRESH for KIDS has made that possible. A flagship program of the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC), it has grown into one of British Columbia’s most impactful and cost-effective school nutrition programs, delivering over 120 million servings of fresh, local produce to students across the province, from urban classrooms to remote and Indigenous communities.
What makes FRESH for KIDS stand out is not just its scale, but its roots. The program is built on relationships, between schools and farmers, between students and the land and between communities and the food that sustains them. At just $10 per student per year, it stretches limited school budgets further than almost any comparable program in Canada, while ensuring that the dollars spent flow directly back to B.C. growers, local food producers and delivery partners. To date, more than $100 million has been paid directly to people in B.C.’s agricultural sector, supporting over 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs province-wide.
“The FRESH for KIDS program thrives today because of the dedication of B.C. farmers, educators, volunteers and donors,” says Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director of BCAITC. “Together, we’re fighting food insecurity, supporting B.C. agriculture and building healthier futures in schools and communities across B.C.”
For School Food Coordinators navigating the complexity of province-wide food programs, FRESH for KIDS serves as a trusted, reliable backbone. Its consistent supply chain of locally sourced food makes it easier for schools to feed students, and to do so with food that reflects the richness of B.C.’s agricultural landscape.
“FRESH for KIDS is a shining example of how agriculture and education can come together to support the health and success of our children,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. The sentiment is one echoed by farmers, educators and community leaders across the province.
As demand for school food programs continues to grow, FRESH for KIDS remains committed to reaching every corner of British Columbia, including the rural and remote communities that need it most. That mission depends on continued community support.
B.C. residents can help bring fresh, local food to children who need it most by donating at www.freshforkids.ca/donate.
About BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC): BCAITC is a non-profit, charitable organization that works with farmers, educators and agriculture specialists to bring local food and agriculture education to BC’s students. Together we bring fresh, healthy, local foods to students, teaching them where their food comes from, how it’s grown and produced and the importance of supporting BC’s agricultural community. To learn more about BCAITC, visit www.bcaitc.ca.
