Submitted by: Englewood Home and School Association
WHEREAS white milk, subsidized through the PEI School Milk Foundation, and chocolate milk are available for purchase through many Island-based schools, and
WHEREAS families wishing to order milk need to navigate multiple ordering systems and/or processes, often with unique scheduling deadlines
WHEREAS schools and/or home and school associations on Prince Edward Island wishing to provide milk or chocolate milk for purchase for their students are required to purchase and maintain individual software solutions and/or spend a significant amount of time managing orders on a recurring basis, and
WHEREAS lower-fat milk products are identified as a positive source of protein on Canada’s Food Guide (Canada’s Food Guide), and
WHEREAS white milk, though subsidized through the PEI School Milk Foundation, still has a fixed cost for families, often with associated administrative fees that can be prohibitive for low-income families navigating food insecurities, and
WHEREAS liquid milk products are not currently available through the PEI School Food Program’s Pay-What-You-Can model, and
WHEREAS child food insecurity on Prince Edward Island remains among the worst in the country (CBC News, 2024), and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the PEI Home and School Federation requests the Prince Edward Island Public Schools Branch work with the PEI Department of Education and Early Years, PEI School Milk Foundation, and PEI School Food Program Inc. to initiate a study to determine the feasibility of incorporating white milk and/or chocolate milk and non-dairy products into the Pay-What-You-Can model offerings within the PEI School Food program.
REFERENCES:
- Campbell, Kerry. “2 in 5 Island children living with food insecurity, says Statistics Canada report.” CBC, 23 May 2024, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-pol-food-insecurity-1.7211554. Accessed 9 August 2024.
- “Eat protein foods – Canada’s Food Guide.” Canada’s Food Guide, https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/make-it-a-habit-to-eat-vegetables-fruit-whole-grains-and-protein-foods/eat-protein-foods/. Accessed 9 August 2024.
~Passed as amended, April 12, 2025
| Destination: | Department of Education and Early Years PEI School Food Program Inc. Public Schools Branch |
PEI School Food Program Inc. (PEISFP) letter received: September 17, 2025 = On behalfof the PEI School Food Program (PEISFP), we thank you for your letter regarding the PEI Home and School Federation’s “Resolution 2025-1: Add Milk Products to the PEI School Food Program”. We appreciate your request for the Public Schools Branch, the Department of Education and Early Years (DEEY), the PEI School MIlk Foundation (PEISMF), and PEISFP to explore the feasibility of incorporating milk and milk alternatives into the Pay-What-You-Can model offerings.
As a non-profit organization, PEISFP is responsible for the development and delivery of the provincial school lunch program. Using the Bon Appetit ordering system, we provide families with the opportunity to order nutritious meals every two weeks on a Pay-What-You-Can basis.
Over the past several months, PEISFP has been in active discussions with Department of Education and Early Years (DEEY), the Department of Social Development and Seniors (SDS), and the PEI School Milk Foundation (PEISMF) about the potential to integrate milk into the ordering system. We recognize both the benefits for students and families as well as the challenges involved. There are significant logistical and financial considerations that must be carefully assessed.
At the same time, in response to the Auditor General’s Healthiness of Food in Schools report (published in Fall 2024), DEEY is in the process of updating provincial school nutrition policies. The updated guidelines will provide clear direction regarding milk alternatives in schools. As PEISFP strives to uphold the highest standards of nutrition, it is important that our decisions align with this evidence-based policy framework.
PEISFP remains committed to working with our partners to further evaluate the inclusion of milk and milk alternatives within our program once the updated school nutrition policy has been released. ~Katelyn MacLean, PEISFP Executive Director