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 into the Pay-What-You-Can model offerings within the PEI School Food program.

REFERENCES:

1. 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.
2. “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.