OTTAWA — The federal New Democrats are asking the Conservative government to provide money and establish national standards for a healthy food program aimed at children under 18.

The children's health and nutrition initiative was proposed by New Democrat MP Olivia Chow, accompanied by concerned parents and health-care advocates.

Chow says the proposed initiative would ensure all children have access to healthy breakfasts, snacks or lunches at schools, day cares and community centres.

She says the meals would help tackle child obesity.

The New Democrats are asking the federal government to provide $250 million to establish the program with incremental increases in funding over a further five years.

Chow says Canada has the dubious claim of being the only major industrialized country without a national child nutrition program, at a time when parents and health professionals are battling what she says is a national obesity epidemic.