School Food and Beverage Policy

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Shon Knight
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1 Ontario Ministry of Education s School Food and Beverage Policy Implementation Date: September 1, 2011

2 Purpose Provide an overview of the Ministry of Education s School Food and Beverage Policy Discuss Special Event Days Outline support offered by Peel Public Health Provide a forum for questions and answers

3 Benefits of Healthy Eating You may already know that healthy eating Improves concentration and memory - students are more ready to learn Promotes healthy growth and development Helps prevent short and long term health problems Builds healthy habits that may last a lifetime

4 The School Food and Beverage Policy will apply to all: Publicly-funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario Food and beverages offered for sale: In all venues (e.g. cafeterias, vending machines, tuck shops) Through all programs (e.g. catered lunch programs) At all school events (e.g. bake sales)

5 School Boards and Schools will be encouraged to: Choose Ontario food and beverages first Be environmentally aware (e.g. reduce waste, reuse, recycle) Avoid offering food or beverages as a reward or incentive for good behaviour, achievement or participation

6 The Policy does NOT apply to food and beverages: Offered in schools to students at no cost Brought from home or purchased off school property and not for resale in school Available for purchase during field trips off school premises Sold in staff rooms Sold in schools for non-school purposes (e.g. a church renting the gymnasium after school hours for a craft/bake sale) Sold for fundraising activities that occur off school premise

7 Categories All food and beverages fit into one of the following categories: Sell Most Sell Less Not Permitted for Sale healthiest options may have higher levels of essential nutrients may have slightly higher amounts of fat, sugar, and/or sodium generally contain few or no essential nutrients 80% 20% 0% Each food or beverage item counts as a choice that is offered for sale. For example, each flavour of muffin counts as one choice (e.g. carrot and blueberry muffins are two choices ) For the 80/20 Rule: To have one Sell Less choice there must be at least 4 Sell Most choices

8 What changes will I see in the cafeteria and vending machines? Healthier versions of your favourite meals (e.g. recipe changes) No more deep fried foods (e.g. baked French fries) Increased variety of healthier selections in the vending machines Improved options in beverage areas

9 Special-Event Days The school principal may designate up to ten days as Special-Event Days Food and beverages offered for sale on these days would be exempt from the nutrition standards in the policy (e.g. fundraising activities, fall BBQ) School principals: Must consult with the school council prior to designating a day as a Special-Event Day Are encouraged to consult with students in making these decisions

10 What does this mean for bake sales and fundraising? Bake sales can fit into the policy! But, the recipes may need to be changed. See the Bake it Up! recipe guide for healthier versions of your favourite treats. For fundraising, look at the Nutrition Facts table on food and beverages. If you need help determining if an item fits the policy, try the Ministry s Nutrition Standards Tool ( or call us at Peel Public Health. There are many healthy fundraising options available try something new!

11 Additional Resources The Nutrition Resource Centre has developed two resources to support the policy: Bake It Up!: a recipe book containing recipes for Sell Most baked goods. Great for fundraising purposes (e.g. bake sales) and secondary school food courses SFBP At-A-Glance: provides an overview of the policy Available online at

12 Additional Resources Peel Public Health: Contact Centre Tel.: (In Caledon, call: ) EatRight Ontario: Tel.: Ministry of Education (School Food and Beverage Policy):

GuIDE. At-A-Glance. to Ontario s School Food and beverage Policy

GuIDE. At-A-Glance. to Ontario s School Food and beverage Policy At-A-Glance GuIDE to Ontario s School Food and beverage Policy What is the policy? What are the nutrition standards? How can I help? Where can I find more information? What is the policy? The Ministry