Prince Edward Island's Children's Summer Food Program has opened registration for its fifth year, with higher demand expected due to ongoing food insecurity concerns. Last year, the program delivered 143,000 meals to 2,300 children. Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors, noted a 10 percentage point drop in child food insecurity in P.E.I. from 2022 to 2023. The program, which budgets around $8 per meal, partners with local suppliers like Fiveelevenwest in Summerside to provide healthy, diverse meals.
Higher demand expected as P.E.I. children's summer food program returns for 5th year
Prince Edward IslandSummersideSummer FoodRecipesLocal foodFood insecurityPoverty
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Prince Edward Island's Children's Summer Food Program has opened registration for its fifth year, with higher demand expected due to ongoing food insecurity concerns. Last year, the program delivered 143,000 meals to 2,300 children. Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors, noted a 10 percentage point drop in child food insecurity in P.E.I. from 2022 to 2023. The program, which budgets around $8 per meal, partners with local suppliers like Fiveelevenwest in Summerside to provide healthy, diverse meals.
- 1 2022: 41% of Island children in food-insecure households.
- 2 2023: 31% of Island children in food-insecure households (10% drop).
- 3 Last summer (2024): Program delivered 143,000 meals to 2,300 children.
- 4 This summer (2025): Children's Summer Food Program opens registration for its 5th year.
- 5 This fall (2025): Poverty elimination strategy scheduled for release.
- Increased access to nutritious meals for children during summer
- Potential reduction in child food insecurity
- Creation of temporary jobs for delivery drivers
What: Prince Edward Island's Children's Summer Food Program has opened registration for its fifth year, expecting higher demand to combat food insecurity among children.
When: This summer (program operation); last summer (2024, previous year's meals); 2022 and 2023 (Statistics Canada data); this fall (poverty elimination strategy release).
Where: Prince Edward Island, Summerside.
Why: To combat food insecurity among children, especially during the summer months when school food programs are not active. Despite a recent drop in child food insecurity, demand is still expected to be high.
How: Families register online. The Department of Social Development and Seniors budgets for meals ($8/meal). Local suppliers like Fiveelevenwest prepare, package, and freeze meals for weekly delivery by hired drivers.