Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
A healthy school nutrition environment exists when schools promote healthy eating through both words and actions. This means that the school delivers and models consistent messages about food, nutrition and healthy eating. It ensures that students get the same messages about healthy eating whether they are learning in the classroom, buying a snack at the canteen, or selling items to raise funds. When children leave the classroom, they are given the opportunity to apply the healthy eating lessons they have learned, which helps to shape their lifelong eating patterns.
The Health Unit works with schools to support a healthy nutrition environment. We have assisted with the development and implementation of both the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board’s nutrition guidelines and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board’s Healthy School Nutrition policy. For more information on the essential elements of a healthy school nutrition environment, refer to the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health document Call to Action: Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment (link at bottom of page).
A Registered Dietitian from the Health Unit is available to assist educators with creating a healthy school nutrition environment, including support for implementing your school or school board’s guidelines / policy. The dietitian can provide consultation, information on healthy eating resources available in the Health Unit’s school lending library, and presentations or workshops to school staff and school councils.
Nutrition Tools for Schools
The Nutrition Tools for Schools (NTS) initiative is a program that is being implemented in many schools across Ontario. With the guidance and facilitation of a Registered Dietitian, the program involves forming a school nutrition action committee, setting a nutrition goal and creating an action plan. Schools are provided with a variety of customizable tools and resources, along with step-by-step resource guides. A variety of fact sheets that address each area of the school nutrition environment are included in the NTS program and are available for download at the bottom of this page. A copy of the program Food Standard Reference Guide is also available for download. This detailed guide explains how to determine if a food has maximum, moderate, or minimum nutritional value.
Elementary schools who have prioritized nutrition as an area for improvement and are committed to creating a healthy school nutrition environment can contact Patricia Bertin, RD at 613-966-5513 ext. 278 for details and registration information for Nutrition Tools for Schools.
School Lending Library
The health unit has a number of curriculum-based resources and teaching kits available to help bring nutrition alive in the classroom. Resources addressing body image are also available. A link to the lending library resources is provided below. Choose ‘healthy eating’ or ‘body image’ from the topic menu for a full list of resources. When you have chosen the resource you wish to borrow, click on ‘full help and ordering information’ in top left corner of the page.
Classroom Nutrition Support (all links at bottom of page)
Power 4 Bones (Grade 5)
This free, innovative bone-health program was developed by Dairy Farmers of Canada and runs every January. The 7-week program focuses on the link between nutrition and bone health and consists of a variety of educational activities including interactive Web challenges, a classroom trivia game, and the design of a public service announcement. Visit the website for registration information.
The Great Big Crunch (all grades)
Download these classroom activities and trivia about nutritious and delicious apples to promote nutrition in the classroom. At the end of the activities, it is suggested that every student be given an apple and take a synchronized “crunch”. This can be done as a school-wide activity (including a great big ‘crunch’ over the PA system). The event is coordinated across the country every year in March to celebrate Nutrition Month. During this time, students across Canada all crunch at the same time and classes that register on the website receive a certificate. However, the activities are available for download at the bottom of this page and can be run at any time during the school year.
Mission Nutrition (K-8)
Updated in 2007 to match Canada’s Food Guide, this program contains curriculum based resources for teachers on healthy eating, active living and self-esteem. View the resources online, or contact the health unit’s lending library to borrow a complete, grade specific, kit including books and/or other materials that are recommended for each ‘mission’ activity. The Mission Nutrition website also contains downloadable activities for families to get parents involved in nutrition education.
Teach Nutrition (K-8)
A website from Dairy Farmers of Ontario, which contains information created by Registered Dietitians for Ontario teachers. Classroom activities and information are provided.
Menu of Choices (K-12)
This website, created by Ophea, contains information for teachers on curriculum links and tips and suggestions for creating a healthy school nutrition environment.
Dietitians of Canada
A source of credible nutrition information for Canadians.
Related Links
Other Resources
