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.

One way to help students develop a healthy relationship with food is to take a neutral approach to food; one that presents food as morally equivalent and without judgement. While it is true that not all foods are nutritionally equal, they should be morally equal. This approach aims to remove labels, shame, judgement and stigma from food by avoiding labels like "good" or "bad" or "sometimes" and "everyday" foods.

Learn more by reading our Educator Guide to Food Neutrality (PDF) or visiting Bright Bites, created by dietitians.

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.

Ontario Student Nutrition Programs (OSNP)

OSNP ensures students have access to nutritious foods at school. Many schools in Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas offer free snacks or meals through this program. Visit OSNP for more information.

Guidance on food offerings at school

Many schools offer or sell meals and snacks throughout the day which presents and opportunity to provide a variety of foods from Canada's Food Guide.

• Student Nutrition Program (SNP) Guidelines (PDF) apply to foods offered at school as part of a Student Nutrition plan (e.g., breakfast or snack program).

• School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM-150) applies to foods sold at school. It was last updated in 2011 and is based on the previous version of Canada's Food Guide.

For simplicity, we recommend using the updated SNP guidelines wherever possible. It should, however, be noted that school administrators must continue to follow, at a minimum, PPM-150 for items sold in schools. 

Remember, these guidelines are for adults planning food at school and should not be used to support student food and nutrition education or to comment on food students bring from home.

Fresh from the Farm Fundraiser

Support your school while promoting Ontario-grown produce! Fresh from the Farm allows schools to raise month by selling apples and root vegetables. Learn how to join the Fresh from the Farm fundraiser.

How Do I address body mage and eating disorders in schools?

Diet and weight loss talk is so common in our society that it's really hard to feel good about our bodies and the food we eat. Eating disorders and disordered eating are becoming more common. In 2019, 48.7% of youth 12-17 surveyed in the Southwestern Public Health region surveyed reported preoccupation with a desire to be thinner in the past year.  Learn more about the role of schools in preventing eating disorders:

• Eating Disorders Ontario Prevention: How Schools Can Help
• Understanding Food and Weight Preoccupation in Youth: An Educators Guide

If you have concerns about a students eating or body image, visit nedic.ca to access live chat support, or call 1-866-NEDIC-20.

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.

What are some additional resources for families?

• 10 tips to help your child have a positive relationship with food and their body (PDF)

• How to talk to teenagers about food (PDF)

• Discover creative lunch ideas that your kids will love (PDF)

How can I learn more 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)