Creating a Supportive Food Environment
Schools can create supportive food environments, where students can develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies, and learn lifelong positive eating habits. Visit BrightBites.ca for a range of tools/resources on managing mealtimes, school gardening, fundraising practices, and more!
Featured Resources:
- 10 Ways to Create a Supportive Food Environment in Schools (français)
Tips to make it easier for students to eat well and help them develop a positive relationship with food. - Nurturing Healthy Eaters (Ontario Dietitians in Public Health) | disponible en français
Evidence-based strategies to promote positive eating habits in elementary and secondary schools - Let's Get Cookin' | disponible en français
Hands-on cooking and food skills program for Grades 5+
- Starting a School Food Program
Helpful tips for launching school-based food programs. - Anaphylaxis in Schools (Allergy Aware)
Online course and national guidelines to help school staff understand the basics of anaphylaxis
- Lunch Your Kids Will Munch (français)
A helpful resource for parents to support healthy, appealing school lunches.
School Nutrition Policies:
Why It Matters:
Students consume about one-third of their daily food at school. A well-nourished student is better able to focus, think, and learn.2
- Ontario School Food and Beverage Policy (P/PM 150)
This Ministry of Education policy sets nutrition standards for all food and beverages sold in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools. - Going Beyond P/PM 150
Strengthen your school's food environment by creating a policy for: - Fundraising
- Classroom celebrations and rewards
- Food served at meetings and events
Date of creation: January 21, 2013
Last modified on: May 8, 2025
Last modified on: May 8, 2025
References
1Joint Consortium for School Health. (2009). Addressing Substance Use in Canadian Schools: School-Family-Community Partnerships. Retrieved from
http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/upload/JCSH%20Substance%20Use%20Toolkit%20SchoolFamilyCommunity%20v1.pdf
http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/upload/JCSH%20Substance%20Use%20Toolkit%20SchoolFamilyCommunity%20v1.pdf
2Saskatchewan Ministry of Education (2009). Nourishing Minds – Towards Comprehensive School Community Health: Nutrition Policy Development in Saskatchewan Schools. Retrieved from Retrieved from
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/nourishing-minds/
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/nourishing-minds/
3Bevans, K.B., Sanchez, B., Teneralli, R., Forrest, C.B. (2011). Children’s eating behavior: The importance of nutrition standards for foods in schools. The Journal of School Health, 81(7), 424-429.