It is important that messages and practices are consistent with values around healthy eating and active living. Here are some statements to support your work as you make your school a healthier place to learn.

A healthy eating policy supports the family’s efforts to promote healthy eating.
Parents are the first and most important influence on children’s eating habits. Once children go to school, cooperation between the home and school is important to establish healthy eating patterns in children. Students spend more time in school than in almost any other environment and may consume 40% of their daily food at school. Schools can play a very important role in helping children to eat healthy.

Making healthy choices available at school is a good way to reinforce the message that healthy eating is important. It also helps ensure that students establish healthy eating habits for their entire life.
The healthy eating messages addressed in curriculum outcomes will be reinforced by the healthy food choices offered at school.

Students have the right to choose what they take to school for their lunch and snack.
The School Food Guidelines address foods served and/or sold in schools. Parents are encouraged to send healthy foods for lunches and snacks in support of district policy and the School Food Guidelines.

Some foods and beverages are high in sugar, fat and/or salt and should be limited. It is important to support children to choose these food and beverages less often. Use the School Food Guidelines to identify food and beverages high in sugar, fat and salt.

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating notes that “Other Foods” can be eaten in moderation. Schools have a responsibility to provide only the most nutritious foods to their students during the school day, just as they have the responsibility to provide the best education using the best educational methodologies.

There are many thirst-quenching beverages that do not have the empty calories of pop and fruit drinks. Students are encouraged to drink water, lower fat milks and 100% juices. Fluids are also provided by foods themselves. For example, fruits, yogurts and soups also contribute to the daily fluid intake.

While children are at school, they should be able to choose foods and beverages that are healthy. Children and youth spend from one-third to one-half of their day in school, five days per week. Outside of school hours they are able to choose foods not included in the Serve Most/Serve Moderately system.

Advertising in schools comes with an implied product endorsement from the school. When products are advertised and sold in schools, students get the message that these products are acceptable to schools and are okay to include in their daily diets. Schools need to model healthy eating. Young children look to adults and older students as role models.

Selling nutritious foods through positive marketing techniques and teenagers’ interest in looking good and being fit is a winning combination. Food Service providers need to market foods that are tasty and healthy. Involving the school community in the planning and promotion is important for success.

Fundraising for student programs is a reality today. We have a responsibility to ensure healthy eating and active living messages and practices are consistent. Fundraising efforts can be successful with healthier foods and activities that reinforce our commitment to student health. The Healthy Eating School Resources Manual provides fund raising ideas that are consistent with healthy eating and active living messages.