August 2010 - Program Updates

Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC)

The School Food and Beverage Policy: Creating healthier nutrition environments for Ontario students

In January 2010, the Ministry of Education announced Policy/Program Memorandum 150 (P/PM 150), the School Food and Beverage Policy [PDF]. The policy requires healthier food and beverages to be sold in Ontario schools as defined by the nutrition standards set out in the policy. Implementation of the policy by all publicly funded schools in Ontario becomes mandatory on September 1, 2011.

The process of policy development spanned a period of more than two years, beginning with the introduction of Bill 8 [PDF], the Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act, in December 2007. The passing of the Act led to the amendment of the Education Act giving the Minister of Education power to define policies and standards governing nutrition standards for food and beverages offered for sale in schools or in conjunction with school-related activities. Implementation of the Trans Fat Standards Regulation [PDF] on September 1, 2008 was the first requirement for schools under the Act. Development of comprehensive nutrition standards for schools was the next step undertaken and came to fruition with the introduction of the School Food and Beverage policy.

OPHA’s Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) has been privileged to be involved throughout the process of the development of the policy. As a member of the Nutrition Standards for Schools Committee, NRC offered recommendations on the scope of the policy as well as resources and supports that would be required for its implementation. NRC has also participated on writing teams convened by the Ministry of Education to provide input into development of the policy’s nutrition standards, e-learning modules for school administrators, and a resource for elementary teachers that will connect curriculum expectations to the policy.

NRC is helping to raise awareness and support implementation of the policy by developing two resources in both English and French targeted to parents and students. The first resource is a collection of about 20 recipes for baked goods that comply with the policy’s nutrition standards. This booklet will be practical for schools that want to organize bake sales, a popular fund-raising activity. It can also be promoted to staff, students and parents who wish to offer healthier baked goods for school or classroom activities. The second resource is an at-a-glance guide to the policy that will answer broad questions that parents and students will have about the policy. These two new resources will be available in Fall 2010 through the EatRight Ontario website.

 

Towards Evidence Informed Practice (TEIP)

The TEIP program has recently been featured on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Best Practice Portal as a Portal Success Story. Check out the article Improving Public Health Practice together, OPHA and the Portal build capacity.