4. Schools should offer nutritious foods at reasonable prices.

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1 CODE: EF Nutrition Policy Administrative Regulations General 1. This policy applies to all food, beverages and snacks that would either be sold at school by food service providers, and/or any other persons and/or organization operating under the schools name either on school property or off site. 2. Eastern School District will establish a School Health Advisory Committee to advise the District, food service providers, and schools on all matters pertaining to school nutrition. Student Access to Food 3. All schools in Eastern School District will develop practices to address the needs of students who arrive at school without food. Schools should consider a complimentary breakfast/food supplement program for students. The breakfast/food supplement program will be consistent with the Provincial School Food Guidelines and Eastern School District s Nutrition Policy 4. Schools should offer nutritious foods at reasonable prices. 5. Schools shall schedule lunch breaks at appropriate times that allow students sufficient time to eat and give food service providers sufficient time to serve maximum numbers. 6. Where dedicated space is overcrowded, schools could consider the option of a staggered lunch. Foods Served or Sold in Schools 7. Food items for vending machines and food served or sold from the canteen and cafeteria must be selected from Serve Most/Serve Moderately lists in Provincial School Food Guidelines. 8. Deep fried items will not be served in schools.

2 Beverages 9. Vending machines, cafeterias, and canteens will not sell carbonated soft drinks, flavoured water, sweetened juices, fruit drinks with less than 100% juice, sports drinks, or energy drinks. 10. Given the health benefits of water consumption, schools may allow students to have water in the classroom. 11. Energy drinks are high in caffeine, sugar, and additives. As schools are concerned about their effect on students behavior and health, the presence of these drinks on school property and at school sponsored events is strongly discouraged. Celebrations 12. At the discretion of the principal, some flexibility is permitted in adherence to the Nutrition Policy for celebrations such as birthday parties, Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, etc. Where possible these celebrations should include healthy food options. Food Safety 13. Schools should nurture sanitary practices and reinforce the importance of proper hand washing prior to eating. 14. Administrators will ensure that caterers, school staff and parent volunteers are familiar with safe food handling practices (See Provincial School Food Guidelines) 15. When schools provide appropriate equipment (microwaves or warming ovens) to reheat meals that students bring to school from home, care should be taken to ensure this equipment is cleaned and maintained frequently. 16. Food allergies must be considered for foods served and/or brought to schools (Ref: Eastern School District Protocol on Anaphylaxis Kindergarten to Level III) Fundraising 17. To assist adherence with District Policy regarding fundraising, alternative fundraising activities can be found in the Provincial Healthy School Resource Manual. General Role of Schools 18. Schools are expected to:

3 provide a variety of healthy food choices whenever food is sold or served at school or district-sponsored events. increase their emphasis on the teaching and practice of nutrition education at all grade levels to enhance the well being of our youth. acquire current Canadian nutrition material for the school resource centre. promote good nutritional practices by communicating regularly with parents and the school community. avail of the services of the Department of Health, Regional Integrated Health Authority, food service providers and other community agencies. encourage parents/guardians to provide nutritious foods for snacks and lunches, knowing that the final decision on nutrition rests with the parent/guardian. encourage staff to act as positive role models to promote healthy eating within the school environment. support opportunities for staff development and training for effective delivery of nutrition curriculum. be in accordance with Provincial School Food Guidelines and Eastern School District Policy. carry out a regular review of the canteens, cafeterias, vending machines and other areas/programs that apply to this policy to ensure their compliance with the District Nutrition Policy. Definitions 19. For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions apply: 19.1 Canada s Food Guide to Healthy Eating is still our country s best resource for helping Canadians make healthy food choices every day. The Food Guide is based on guidelines emphasizing healthy foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack times from the four food groups of grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products and meat and alternatives. The amount of food you need to eat every day depends on your age, body size, activity level, gender and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding Food services include foods served at breakfast, in canteens, cafeterias, vending machines, food supplement programs and all other food related

4 activities sponsored by the school and carried out by their catering company or equivalent Nutrient-dense foods are those foods that provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively fewer calories Nutritious foods include only those foods from the four food groups of Canada s Food Guide to Healthy Eating such as whole grain and enriched grain products, dark green and orange fruits and vegetables, lower-fat milk products, leaner meats, poultry and fish, and dried peas, beans and lentils Nutrition education is the process of teaching validated, current nutrition knowledge in ways that promote the development and maintenance of positive attitudes and habits of eating nutritious food Serve Most is a category of foods that are sources of nutrients (e.g. vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre). They are generally low in added fat and/or sugar and/or salt. They are found within one of the four food groups of Canada s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. They are whole grains, vegetables and fruit, lower fat milk products and lean meats and alternatives Serve Moderately is a category of foods that are sources of nutrients (e.g. vitamins, minerals and protein). Foods in this category are sometimes lower in fibre and/or higher in fat, sugar, salt and /or calories, generally as a result of processing. They are found within one of the four food groups of Canada s Food Guide to Healthy Eating Serve Most Snacks are foods that have nutritional value and can be served as snacks anytime. To be designated a Serve Most Snack a grain product should contain 3 grams of fat or less per standard serving size Serve Moderately Snacks are foods that have nutritional value but are higher in fat and/or sugar and /or salt. These snacks should be used less often than the Serve Most Snacks To be designated a Serve Moderately Snack a grain product should contain no more than 5 grams per standard serving size Foods that are not included in the Serve Most/Serve Moderately System: These foods are generally low in nutrients and are high in fat, sugar, salt, caffeine and/or calories. These foods should not be served and/ or sold in schools since they provide few of the nutrients needed for growth and development. These foods fill up children s stomachs so that they do not have room for nutritious foods.

FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY. for NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS

FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY. for NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS 14-700-005 FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY for NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS Department of Education Fredericton, New Brunswick February 1991 INTRODUCTION School students have been identified as a key target in the