This Policy articulates the federal government’s long-term vision for a national school food program in Canada. It presents a set of principles – the core values that will guide work towards this vision – and key objectives, which outline how these principles can be put into action. This Policy delivers on several commitments prior to Budget 2024, made by the Government of Canada. For example, the December 2021 mandate letters committed the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to “work … with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to develop a National School Food Policy and to work toward a national school nutritious meal program.” This Policy also builds on and aligns with Canada’s international commitments through its membership in the Global School Meals Coalition and enactment of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.