Food in Schools

Food and nutrition are key to helping kids grow, stay well and focus better in class. Schools can play a big role in helping students to develop a healthy relationship with food by creating a positive school food climate. Having a healthy relationship with food supports students' developments as well as their social and mental well-being.

How can I help students develop a positive relationship with food?

When teaching or talking about food, we need to carefully consider the impact of messages we send and how they might be interpreted by students. Best practices for teaching about nutrition in schools have evolved. We know now that past efforts meant to get students to choose “healthy” foods have made certain foods and body types to be seen as “unhealthy”. These practices have impacted youth’s ability to have positive relationships with food and their bodies, and rates of disordered eating have risen.

One way to help students develop a positive relationship with food is to teach and talk about food in a positive way. Recognize that all foods have value. While all foods are not nutritionally equal, they should all be presented without judgement.  This approach aims to remove labels, shame, judgement and stigma from food by avoiding labels like "good" or "bad" or "sometimes" and "everyday" foods. Instead, we suggest calling foods by their names (i.e. hamburger, spinach, or cookie). We can also encourage students to follow their hunger and fullness cues and decide what order to eat the food they have in their lunchbox. Hands on experience with food through growing, cooking and exploration using the five senses helps students learn to enjoy a variety of foods over time.

Learn more by visiting Bright Bites, a website created by Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. Looking for some quick wins? Check out our resource full of easy activities to start today to support positive relationships with food in students.

How can I help students learn about food?

• Let’s Get Cookin’

The Let's Get Cookin' program is designed to support educators and school community members in teaching kids (grades 5 and up) how to prepare and cook food.  Learn more about how to bring this program to your school.

• #Food4Thought

This four-session program focuses on building connections through a Cook, Eat, Chat model. It’s ideal for students in Grade 7 and up who may benefit from peer interaction or adult mentorship in the school community. Contact our Healthy Schools Team to learn more.

• Grow your own vegetables with tower gardens

Many schools use indoor growing towers to grow vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and beans all year round. Discover how to start a tower garden in your school.

• Teach about food and nutrition using a neutral and inclusive approach

Visit www.brightbites.ca for grade specific guidance and resources for the Elementary Health and Physical Education curriculum developed by public health dietitians.

What types of food should be offered or sold at our school?

Connect with our teams Registered Dietitian by reaching out to healthyeating@swpublichealth.ca to learn more about what types of food can be offered or sold at school.

Most schools offer a student nutrition program to provide students with nutritious foods at school. Learn more about food access at school here.

What are some additional resources for Curriculum and Lesson Plans?

Here are some tools to support food and nutrition education in your classroom:

• Access evidence-based resources on Bright Bites to support educators in teaching nutrition positively and creating body-inclusive schools.

• Access lesson plans and activities to teach about Canada's Food Guide.

• Find resources to support grades 3–9 food literacy and science curriculum expectations.

How can I learn more about how to teach and talk about food at school?

• 10 Ways to Create a Supportive Food Environment in Schools
• BrightBites.ca Guiding Principles
• Words Matter: Promoting a Positive Relationship with Food E-Module (Alberta Health Services)