What’s New? The New School Food and Beverage Policy

The Ontario Ministry of Education now requires the sale of healthy foods in Ontario schools. Under the new School Food and Beverage Policy (P/PM150) all foods and beverages sold in publically funded Ontario schools must follow the nutrition standards  set out in the policy by September 2011.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working in partnership with local school boards to implement the new food and beverage policy.  The health unit uses the Nutrition Tools for Schools© to promote healthy eating in schools. 

Nutrition Tools for Schools© Factsheets: 

• Healthy Choices for Schools Fundraising

• Starting a School Milk Program

• Milk Matters on Every Menu

• Healthy Choices for Vending Machines

• Healthy School Tuck Shops

• Healthy Catered Lunches

• Healthy Choices for Classroom Rewards

• Healthy Classroom Celebrations

• Healthy Refreshments at School Meetings and Events

• Healthy Pizza Days 

• Are You a Positive Role Model?

• Safe and pleasant eating areas at school

• Hand washing at school

• Appropriate Scheduling of Nutrition Breaks

• Starting a Student Nutrition Program

• NTS Nutrition Standards

• 9 Newsletter Inserts 

If your school is interested in Nutrition Tools for Schools© public health staff will work with you and provide additional resources. For more information contact us at Grey Bruce Public Health. 

The Ministry of Education and other Health/Education agencies also offer resources to support the new food and beverage policy.

Ministry of Education Resources:

• The School Food & Beverage Policy Online & Print Resources
• Parent Information and Tools
• Online Learning modules
• School Food Calculator  
• Creating Healthy Menus Tool
• FAQs Section
• Parents Reaching Out Grants

  Ontario Public Health Unit Resources:

• School Catered Lunch Product Options 
• School Snack and Food Product Options
• Nutrition Resources to Support Secondary School Curriculum
• Factsheets on Trans Fat and Nutrition Standards

Health Canada Resources:

• Nutrition labeling & Interactive tools
• Canada's Food Guide
• Food Allergies and Intolerances

Eat Right Ontario Resources:

• School Health
• At-A-Glance Guide to Ontario’s School Food and Beverage Policy
• What parents need to know about the new school food and beverage policy
• Packing Healthy School Lunches and Snacks FAQs  
• Choose foods for a healthier lunchbox
• More healthy lunches with the new nutrition standards  
• Nutrition Label Interactive Tool
• Bake It Up!
• Resources to help understand and use the new School Food and Beverage Policy

Dietitians of Canada Resources:

• Your-Health
• Healthy Eating is in Store for You virtual  tour
• Recipe Analyzer

Dairy Farmers of Canada Resources:

• Teach nutrition curriculum programs
• Students-Digest Quest
• Teach Nutrition Award &  Innovative Ideas
• Power to Play K-3 workshop
• Power to Explore 4-6 workshop

More Resources for Educators, Parents and Students:

• Target Youth
• Bean Keepers Project
• Mission Nutrition 
• Breakfast For Learning
• Fight Bac!
• Dole 5 a day Supper Kids
• BC Action schools  
• Eating Between the Lines  
• Canadian Cancer Society Mix it Up 
• Ophea
• Live Right Now CBC