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All four Ontario teachers unions calling for help
Advocacy groups, teachers unions and food banks are calling on the Ontario government to provide a free breakfast and lunch program in schools across the province.
In a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Children Minister Michael Parsa, the organizations say many children in Ontario are facing food insecurity that forces them to rely on food banks for their nutritional needs.
The groups, including Food Banks Canada and the province's four major teachers unions, say current student nutrition programs in Ontario are seeing increased demand but are not meeting the needs of students.
Hunger relief organizations say about 30 per cent of food bank clients are under the age of 18.