I was reminded that March is Nutrition Month and Dietitians of Canada have come up with a theme, “Nourish to Flourish” which I find not only catchy but appropriate, especially when it comes to children and the important direct impact nutrition has on the health, well-being and success of children.   We now have a National School Food Program as of last year, Canada having been the only G7 country without one.  As a reminder, the G7 is a group of the world’s leading industrial nations that includes Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.   The U.S. may not have Universal Medicare, but it does have a National School Lunch Program. Studies show that children who have access to healthy school meals perform better in school.  Last April, the federal government launched the National School Food Program featuring a $1 Billion investment over 5 years to provide meals to over 400,000 children annually.   A number of provinces have signed on to the program, but Saskatchewan has apparently been waiting, pondering what will happen when the 5 year program ends.   With due respect to our provincial government, grab those federal dollars offered now and ponder what happens 5 years from now in 5 years.  We don’t need to be reminded that our children are our future, and I repeat, no child should have to go to school and sit there all day hungry, so the adults in the room (that being us) should do everything we can to help. 

That’s Coffeetalk.  I’m Vic Dubois.