More kindergarten mouths to feed means more money, says School Lunch chair

The chair of the board for the School Lunch Association says the province's transition to full-day kindergarten will mean a lot more mouths to feed at lunchtime and somebody will have to foot the bill.

Cyril Hayden said his organization will have to feed 700 more children with the move to full-day kindergarten in September, at a cost of about $400,000 per year.

The School Lunch Association provides hot lunches to children at schools throughout the Eastern Avalon. 

Hayden said the government gives $100,000 to the organization each year, but last year the expenses totalled $1.1 million.

As a charitable organization, Hayden said the group simply does not have the money to pay for hundreds more lunches.

"We are not funded by the government, we're a charity," he said.

The School Lunch Association needs to upgrade its kitchens, at a cost of $400,000 and that's not all.

"We need to purchase new equipment, we need staffing, and I guess look at the food costs again," said Hayden.

Hayden said the government created the problem by expanding the kindergarten program, and he's been getting the runaround from government officials.

"All we need is a little help from everyone so we can serve the kids," he said. "Kids need a hot lunch."

Government responds 

Sherry Gambin-Walsh, the minister of Child, Youth and Family Services for the province, responded to the School Lunch Association's concerns on Wednesday at the House of Assembly.

She said her department is willing to meet with Hayden and School Lunch Association officials in June or July, but is waiting for them to come forward with further information.

"We need a full analysis," she said.

"There's a parent cost portion. We need donations. We need to know exactly what they need."

While she acknowledged that there isn't any more money in the budget, there is a review of all operational funding.

Gambin-Walsh said the government understands that there will be an increased demand for school lunches because of the move to full-day kindergarten. 

"There is a request, there is a need, so we will assess it," she said.