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Schools

Food and Nutrition

Food and Nutrition in Schools

Nutrition plays a key role in healthy child development and helps students achieve positive physical and mental health. When students are better nourished throughout the day, they are better able to cope with stressors. Nutritious food helps students have the energy they need to be active, think clearly and obtain the most they can from their school day. Schools can help students develop a healthy relationship with food by creating supportive nutrition environments. 

Whole School Approaches 

A healthy school includes strategies that support students’ nutritional health and well-being.

The school food and nutrition environment includes components that are within the schools’ control such as the foods that are offered and sold at school, the eating spaces, opportunity to learn about and try new food, and the attitudes and language used to talk about food.

Schools can help by creating positive eating environments that make it easier for student to eat well and develop a positive relationship with food.

Tools and resources about school food programs and creating a supportive nutrition environment.

School food and nutrition policies provides a solid foundation for creating positive school food and nutrition environments. Schools can support students by making sure that any food or beverage sold at school complies with the Ontario provincial nutrition standards and with their internal local school board policy related to food and nutrition.

External Links:
Ministry of Education School Food and Beverage Policy (SFBP or PPM 150). 
School leaders are encouraged to:

  • Be aware of the food safety requirements in schools.
  • Refer school staff, volunteers and food service providers to learn more information about the policies and standards for food and beverages sold in schools (English / French).
  • Read the Ministry of Education School Food and Beverage policy guides (English / French) that will help schools and school boards implement the policy and support healthier schools.

Students may arrive at school hungry, which can impact their ability to focus and learn. Hunger can be caused by a variety of factors such as household food insecurity, lack of access to food, or busy schedules. School food programs and community resources can temporarily address hunger needs by providing access to food.

Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs)

Ontario Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) provide universal access to nutritious breakfasts, morning meals, and snacks to students in elementary and secondary schools. SNPs are operated by local community partnerships. For more information:

Supporting Resources:

Meal and Food Programs

2-1-1 Ontario connects people to community and social resources, including food programs and services. This includes cooking classes and facilities, school meal programs, food banks, free/low-cost meals, and other food security programs.

Food Resources:

Household Food Insecurity

While student nutrition programs and community food programs can help to improve food access for students, they do not solve the problem of household food insecurity which is inadequate or insecure access to food at the household-level due to financial constraints. Income solutions to address food insecurity are also needed. Learn more about household food insecurity and what you can do to take action.

A healthy school includes activities that promote a positive food and nutrition environment. Consider the following activities as part of your health and well-being action plan:

Enhance Your Student Nutrition Program:

Ensure the Student Nutrition Program follows the Student Nutrition Program nutrition guidelines. Collect student feedback and make improvements to the logistics of the program and what choices are offered. Encourage volunteers to take a certified food handler training certification.

Garden, Grow and Learn

Involve students in hands-on activities with plants, seeds, soil and foods. It can help expose students to a variety of foods and new experiences. Consider growing seedlings in the classroom, starting a grow tower, visiting a farm or greenhouse, planting a vegetable garden, etc.
Garden, Grow, and Learn resource (PDF)

Food Preparation and Cooking

Fundraising

Work with students and schools councils to ensure fundraising activities are consistent with positive health messages provided in classroom lessons: 

  • Engage school councils and fundraising committees in health promoting fundraising initiatives and include non-food activities on school fundraising plans. Consider dance-a-thon, walk-a-thon, poinsettia or magazine sales, or fundraise with fruit and vegetables like oranges or grapefruit or Fresh from the Farm fundraising. Connect with your local Student Nutrition Program to learn about fundraising ideas to support your school needs.

Rewards and Celebrations

Rewarding students with food can disrupt a student’s ability to recognize their own hunger cues and promotes the belief that food must be earned. Consider non-food rewards such as positive recognition, extra outdoor time or activities or other non-food incentives.

Educator and Classroom Resources

Educators play an important role in encouraging students to develop a lifelong positive relationship with food by teaching nutrition in a positive way. 

To help create a classroom environment that reinforces food and nutrition curriculum:

Health Unit Programs and Services 

You're the Chef (YTC) is a cooking program designed to help students develop the skills and confidence necessary to prepare healthy and tasty recipes.

For Students, Parents and Families

There are many ways for students to engage in school food and nutrition initiatives, such as:

There are many ways for parents, caregivers, and families to engage in school food and nutrition initiatives such as:

  • Support climate action and pack litter-less lunches to support eco-schools initiatives and nutritious food choices.
  • Take the You’re the Chef leader’s training to offer food skills program to students.
  • Participate in school council discussions and decisions related to fundraising and hot lunch programs to help make sure food choices meet family’s needs. 
  • Rethink school and classroom celebrations. Focus on fun by including food, movement, music and special activities instead of food. 

Resources to share with parents/families include:

Choose from the sample newsletter inserts below to share key messages with parents/families of elementary school students:

Cooking Together – Simple, Fun, and Flexible!

Cooking can be a fun and budget-friendly way to spend time together, explore food, and build skills for life. It doesn’t have to be fancy – use what you have! Involve kids by giving them age-appropriate tasks, like stirring or measuring. Don’t worry if they don’t want to taste everything – exposure over time helps them feel comfortable with new foods. Celebrate small wins and enjoy the time together, whether it’s cooking a family recipe or something simple like a sandwich. For tips on affordable, healthy eating, check out Healthy eating on a budget - Canada's Food Guide.

Need to speak with a Registered Dietitian? Dial 811 or visit Health811.ontario.ca to use the online live chat option and receive a callback from a dietitian.

The Power of Shared Meals

Shared meals bring people together! Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, mealtime is a chance to connect and unwind. Focus on conversation – turn off screens and let everyone share their thoughts. Even one shared meal a week can make a difference, so find what works for your schedule. Let everyone pitch in – setting the table, serving food, or cleaning up. Mealtime isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection.

Tips for healthy eating: Healthy eating for parents and children - Canada's Food Guide

Feeding Hungry Children

Children come to school hungry for a variety of reasons i.e. rushed mornings, early buses, taking care of siblings, extra-curricular activities, no food at home, sleeping in, early drop off, etc.  No matter the reason, hunger can impact children’s ability to learn, work and play at school.

Student Nutrition Programs in schools provide universal access to nutritious breakfasts, morning meals, and snacks to students. Contact the school office to learn about food programs at your child’s school.

To find out about other local food programs and services available in your community, contact 211 Ontario online, by text or call for support.

Choose from the sample newsletter inserts below to share key messages with parents/families of secondary school students:

Are too many sugary drinks affecting your teen’s health?

Healthy brains need to stay hydrated to learn and concentrate. Water is the best option!  Sugar sweetened drinks like pop, juice, and fruit drinks do not provide the same benefits when it comes to staying hydrated. 

Families play an important role in the choices teens make. Offer water with meals, carry a reusable water bottle, and provide water during sporting activities. You can help your teen make good drink choices by having less sugary drink choices available. Visit Canada’s Food Guide to learn how to make water the drink of choice.

Caffeine, Energy drinks and Teens

Caffeine is a stimulant which can increase alertness and give you a boost of energy. It can be found in tea, coffee, chocolate and soft drinks. It can also be added to some foods.  Some side effects include insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervousness. Check Health Canada’s website for more information about recommended maximum caffeine daily intake.

Energy drinks are NOT recommended for children and young teens because of their high caffeine content. One energy drink could have much more caffeine than 4 cups of coffee and more than what is recommended in a day!  Caffeinated energy drinks are now required to have include health and nutrition information on their food labels to help children under 14 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding or individuals sensitive to caffeine about health risks.  Learn more at Health Canada.

Feeding Hungry Teenagers

Many teenagers come to school hungry for a variety of reasons i.e. rushed mornings, early buses, taking care of siblings, extra-curricular activities, no food at home, sleeping in, early drop off, etc. No matter the reason, hunger can impact a teens ability to learn, work and be active at school.

Student Nutrition Programs in schools provide universal access to nutritious breakfasts, morning meals, and snacks to students.  Contact the school office to learn about food programs at your child’s school.

To find out about local programs and services available in your community, contact 211 Ontario online, by text or call for support.

For More information

For planning JK/SK school events, refer to:

Dietitian Services

Call Health Connect Ontario 8-1-1 or visit the website to speak with a registered dietitian at no cost and no need for referral. 

For more information, call the Heatlh Unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or email

[email protected].
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