Frequently Asked Questions

About the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program

What is the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program?

The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is a Government of Nova Scotia program that offers nutritious lunches to public school students every school day. The program helps make life more affordable and easier for busy families and ensures students have access to nutritious, delicious food that supports their learning and well-being.

Is my school part of the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program?

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, all Nova Scotia public schools will participate in the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program. 

Who is making the school lunches?

Each school is unique, with different facilities and lunch operations. Depending on the school, lunches may be prepared onsite or prepared at another location and delivered to the school. Meals are prepared by school food service staff, or by external food service providers. Current menu options and ingredient details are available in the ordering platform. 

Is the food locally sourced?

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are used whenever possible, promoting healthy eating habits and supporting local farmers.

Who can I talk to for more information?

You can speak to your child’s school or reach out to your regional School Food Program Lead with any specific questions about the School Lunch Program by completing the support form:

Send a support request
About the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program

Ordering

When can I order meals?

Ordering opens on Friday mornings and closes on Wednesday at noon for meals that will start being served the following Monday. You can sign up to receive email and text reminders to order.

How do I place an order?

  1. Create an account, or login to your existing account on NSLunch.ca by clicking “Order Now” button and selecting your school region or conseil scolaire.
  2. Add a Diner Profile for the student and then select “Order Meals Now” for that student to place an order.
  3. Select meals for each school day for a two-week period. Every day, there will be two choices.
  4. Confirm your meal selections. You will be able to choose the amount you wish to contribute to the meal, if any. If you choose to pay for the meal, you will be asked to provide your payment information. Once you input your information, click Submit Order to submit your order.
  5. The student(s) will receive their meals at their school’s designated lunch area.

Click here to see detailed instructions.

Do I need to create an account for the online Nova Scotia School Lunch ordering system?

Yes, you need to create an account to use the ordering system and to order a meal. 

 If you’re a student, you can create an account and log in using your GNSPES account. If you do not have an account, the system will guide you to create one.

Who can order?

Students and families can create an account and order lunches. Schools and regional staff as well as community organizations can also support families and help order lunches on their behalf, if needed.

What does gluten-friendly mean?

Gluten is not intentionally present in the ingredients of this meal. However, meals and ingredients are prepared in facilities where gluten is present. Due to potential cross contamination, we cannot guarantee that meals are gluten free. There is a risk of gluten exposure. Please consider this risk based on the student’s individual needs before ordering.

How do I place orders for more than one student?

You can place orders for multiple students by creating a separate Diner Profile for each student within your account. To do this, log in to your account on the “Diners” section on the main page, click on the “Add” button. Fill in the student’s information and click “Save”. Now on the main page, simply select the “Order Meals Now” button and you’ll be able to place separate orders for each student.

Can I cancel or change my meal order?

Meal orders can be changed or cancelled while the meal ordering window is still open (until Wednesdays at noon). However, once the ordering window closes, no changes or cancellations can be made. 

Can more than one person have an account connected to the same student?

Yes. A student can be added as a diner on more than one account. Each family member must create their own account. For security, do not share passwords or payment information. To prevent duplicate orders, only one person should place the student’s meal order each cycle. 

How can I ensure my device is compatible with the online ordering system?

To make sure your device works well with the ordering system, keep your mobile device or computer up-to-date with the latest app, software and operating systems.

Ordering

Payment

How much do lunches cost?

The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program is a pay what you can program. After choosing lunches, the ordering system gives families three payment options: pay the $6.50 cost of the meal, pay part of the cost, or pay nothing.

How do I pay?

Lunches are paid for in the online ordering system. After choosing lunches, the ordering system takes you to a payment screen. On the payment screen, you will see three payment options: pay the cost of the lunch, pay a part of the cost, or pay nothing. 

 You will be able to make a secure payment using: 

  •  Visa 
  • Mastercard 
  • American Express 
  • Discover 
  • Visa Debit 
  • Debit Mastercard

Can I get a refund for meals I purchased?

Refunds are not provided for orders that have already been submitted, even if they are cancelled or changed while the ordering window is still open. If a meal is missed, families can choose to pay nothing during the next ordering window to “make up” for it. This applies for unexpected school closures, such as snow days, as well. 

Can I make a donation to the program?

Yes, individuals and businesses can make donations to the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program.

If I make a donation, will I be issued a tax receipt?

Yes. Tax receipts are available in most circumstances. If you create an account, official donation receipts can be issued automatically and stored securely online. If you donate without creating an account, a receipt may be mailed to you if the donation meets the applicable minimum amount.

Payment

Troubleshooting

Who can I contact for log in/account issues? For example, what if I need to reset my password?

If you are not a student, you can learn how to set up and manage your My NS account or reset your password, at: About My NS Account. 

 If you require further assistance, contact the 2KEYS helpdesk. 

The 2Keys helpdesk is available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except holidays) 
Telephone (North America): 
1-844-322-9375 
TTY / TDD Telephone (Hearing Impaired)
1-844-322-9377 

 If you are a current student and need password help with your GNSPES account, you can get help at: https://www.gnspes.ca/help/. For additional help, you can always contact your Regional Help Desk.

What is 2-step verification?

Two-factor authentication (2FA), also known as two-step verification, is a security method that adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts beyond just a password. To make your My NS account more secure, 2-step verification has been introduced. To login to your account, you now need:

  1. Your username and password, and
  2. A verification method (e.g. phone number or authenticator app)

For more information on setting up your 2-step verification visit About My NS Account or contact the 2Keys Helpdesk from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (excluding holidays and weekends). You can reach them at:
  • Telephone (North America): 1-844-322-9375
  • TTY / TDD Telephone (Hearing Impaired): 1-844-322-9377

Why can’t I place meal orders?

If you cannot place orders, it might be because of one of these reasons: 

  •  You haven’t created a Diner Profile for the student. To create a Diner Profile for the student, log in to your account, click on the button “Add Diner”, fill in the student’s information, and click “Save”. Now on the main page, select the “Order Meals Now” to start placing orders. 
  • The ordering window for the current cycle has already closed. Once the ordering window closes, you won’t be able to place meal orders until the next cycle begins. Please check the ordering schedule for future cycles. 
  • The school is temporarily closed for certain days/ period. On school closure days, lunch won’t be available, and you won’t be able to select meals for those days during the ordering process.
  •  Other reasons: If you are still having problems, please contact your region or conseil scolaire by creating a Support Request.

Why can’t I place an order for some days?

On school closure days, lunch isn’t available, and you can’t select meals for those days during the ordering process.

Why am I unable to order without the student being connected to PowerSchool? Why am I unable to connect the student’s profile with PowerSchool?

Students must now be connected to PowerSchool to be able to place an order. This is important for making sure the meals are delivered to the correct person. The easiest way to ensure the student is connected is to:

  • Enter the student number, which can be found in PowerSchool or on the student’s report card
  • Enter the first and last name exactly as it appears in PowerSchool. If you receive a mismatch error, check PowerSchool to confirm how the name is entered. The first name field on the ordering system connects to the preferred first name field in PowerSchool.

If you need support connecting the student’s profile to PowerSchool, please contact your region or conseil scolaire by creating a Support Request.

What should I do if I'm having trouble making a payment?

If you require further assistance, please contact your region or conseil scolaire by creating a Support Request. If you have not received a response before the ordering window closes, we recommend submitting your orders with a $0 payment to make sure the order is still processed on time.

What happens if a student changes schools within the same region or conseil scolaire?

If a student is changing schools in the same region or conseil scolaire, their diner profile will update once the school information is updated in PowerSchool.

Student profiles on the ordering platform must now be connected to PowerSchool to complete orders. Please see the FAQ on connecting to PowerSchool if you need support connecting the student’s profile. 

What happens if a student moves to a new region or conseil scolaire?

If a student moves to a new region or conseil scolaire, you will need to create new account in the region or conseil scolaire’s ordering system.

We also recommend logging in to your old account to remove your phone number and disable text notifications so you only receive reminders for the new region or conseil scolaire.

When placing orders, check that you are in the correct region or conseil scolaire ordering site. The logo is visible on the ordering page. 

What if I am having issues that I cannot resolve on my own?

If you require further assistance, please contact your region or conseil scolaire by creating a Support Request.

Nova Scotia School Lunch Program - Support Request | Nova Scotia School Lunch Program - Support

A crowd of children enjoy their lunch in the cafeteria