Students at Bay Roberts Primary in Newfoundland and Labrador now have access to a new pay-what-you-can school lunch program. The initiative, which began on April 13, 2026, aims to provide nutritious meals to children while ensuring families can contribute based on their individual circumstances.
The Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, visited the school to mark the launch of the project. The program is being operated by Harbour Breeze Catering, a local company led by Chef Garry Gosse that has provided cafeteria services to provincial schools since 2008. Town Councillor Ross Petten was also in attendance for the event at the school, which serves students from Kindergarten to Grade 3.
To participate, families place their meal orders through the Harbour Breeze app. A suggested price is provided for the lunches, but families choose the amount they are able to pay. All payment information remains confidential to help eliminate any stigma for the children involved. This model is supported by the School Lunch Association, a registered charity that has worked for nearly four decades to ensure students have access to healthy food during the school day.
This program is part of a broader provincial effort to expand food access for students. In September 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador became the first province to sign onto the federal National School Food Program. With a total investment of 42 million dollars from both federal and provincial sources, the province has been rapidly expanding the availability of these meals. By the end of the 2025-26 school year, officials expect that approximately 40,000 students across the province will have access to this pay-what-you-can model.
