Nutrition for Schools

School nutrition programs and services continue to be developed and will be offered as they become available. Have your school connect with their Public Health Nurse to discuss what is being offered at this time.

Healthy eating contributes to school performance and helps students achieve positive physical and mental health. When students are better nourished throughout the day, they are better able to cope with stressors and have the energy they need to be active, think clearly and obtain the most they can from their school day.

To help children and youth to feel good about themselves, remember to promote healthy eating in a positive way.

Consider the following guidelines for elementary schools and secondary schools when planning any healthy eating and food literacy initiatives at your school.

Remember to involve students in the planning of nutrition activities. This not only educates them on valuable nutrition information, but allows them to build on their and strengths and skills, increase their confidence, and improve their self-esteem, which all contribute to more resilient students and positive mental health.

York Region Public Health offers services and suggested activities to promote food literacy in schools and support overall health and well-being.

Promoting food literacy equips students with the skills they need to grow, select and cook healthy meals and snacks. Watch the video below to learn more about what food literacy means:

York Region Public Health offers the following nutrition programs and services for your school:

Consultation services

Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Educators staff are available to consult with both elementary and secondary schools about how to create a healthy school food culture and supportive environment that encourages healthy eating.

We can also consult with you on the Ontario Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act  and ensure that foods being offered and sold meet or exceed the Ministry of Education’s Ontario School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150). Food that may be affected by this policy include food being sold for fundraising, catered lunches and food offered at classroom celebrations.

For more information related to promoting healthy eating at your school and creating a healthy school food culture, request a consultation with a Public Health Dietitian by e-mailing [email protected].

Teacher Support Services and Classroom Resources

“It is important for teachers to establish a healthy eating environment in the classroom by ensuring that the topics taught, approaches taken and environments, in which students learn, are supportive of healthy eating“. (Ontario Ministry of Education, Elementary Teacher Resource Guide)

Curriculum Support

For Teachers and Educators

For more information, contact us at [email protected]

Promoting Healthy School Lunches

Please note: My Healthy Lunch Challenge program has been discontinued.

For information and ideas about promoting healthy school lunches and snacks to your school community, refer to the resources and links below. You can also visit brightbites.ca/ for further information and activity ideas for promoting healthy eating at your school.

Fact Sheets and Additional Resources for Parents and Students

Videos

BrightBites

BrightBites is a website developed by the Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, and promotes healthy eating at school. It provides suggested activities and resources to improve the school’s food culture and makes improving school nutrition fun, easy and rewarding!

BrightBites also provides resources and curriculum connections for Educators, as well as activity suggestions for student nutrition programs, cooking programs, edible gardens and healthy fundraising to name a few.

Need more information? A Registered Dietitian from York Region Public Health can provide more information on how BrightBites can transform your school – one bite at a time! For more information, contact [email protected]

Student Nutrition Programs – Food for Learning

Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) provide nutritious breakfasts, morning meals, and snacks to students in elementary and secondary schools. Universal and inclusive SNPs support student learning, growth and development, and overall physical and mental well-being. SNPs also promote a sense of community by bringing people together to ensure all students are well-nourished.

York Region Food for Learning is a community partnership dedicated to supporting breakfast and snack programs in York Region schools. The partnership provides expertise, funding, and resources to develop and sustain Student Nutrition Programs. The vision of York Region Food for Learning is that all students in York Region will have access to inclusive nutrition programs within the school community that support their learning and health.

To request support with starting or enhancing a Student Nutrition Program, implementing the Student Nutrition Program Nutrition Guidelines, choosing nutritious foods, and/or menu planning, please contact @email. For more Student Nutrition Program-related information and resources, visit foodforlearning.com

Food Literacy and Cooking Programs

Elementary Schools

You’re the Chef

You’re the Chef is a food literacy cooking program with a focus on fruits and vegetables. Students in Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 learn basic cooking and safe food handling skills, as well as how to make healthy eating choices. Running YTC at your school and encouraging students to practice cooking skills is a great way to help young people build their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of achievement, while developing valuable life skills. These are all assets which will contribute to positive mental health and well-being.

York Region Public Health provides training for leaders (volunteers, educators and/or school community members) to run the program during the school day to support the curriculum, or after school.

The leader(s) will take part in a 4-hour training session, which is offered four times a year, twice in October and twice in February.

The following material will be covered in the workshop:

  • Cooking program set-up
  • Food safety
  • Required equipment
  • Selecting recipes and menu planning
  • Food skill demonstrations and practice
  • Cooking recipes
  • Enjoying and sharing prepared recipes together
  • An understanding of how to teach and guide others to prepare and cook simple, enjoyable and affordable meals

Once trained, volunteers/leaders can run the program at their school at any time. In general, sessions can be scheduled to run for 1.5 to 2 hours, once a week for five weeks.

To receive the most current program resources, schools must complete the Program Information Form each time they run You’re the Chef and submit this form to York Region Community and Health Services.

Note: The program is provided at no cost for York Region elementary schools. However, schools are responsible for purchasing their own ingredients. Basic cooking equipment is also required. 

Join our mailing list to keep informed of when the next You're the Chef training session will be offered and learn about other public health nutrition programs. For more information, speak to your school’s public health nurse or contact us at @email.

Promoting Nutrition in Secondary Schools

Nutrition Activity Ideas for High Schools

This resource includes nutrition activities that have already been done in schools throughout Ontario. They are linked with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School.

Helping Secondary Schools Promote Healthy Eating in a positive Way

 This resource goes through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from teachers, volunteers and staff related to body image, self-esteem, healthy role-modeling and how to teach about healthy eating in a way that supports mental well-being at the secondary school level.

For more information, contact us at [email protected]

Cost

The programs are provided at no cost.

Related Resources

External Resources