Making schools healthier for Ontario students - 2004-10-20 at 14:34
October 20, 2004
TORONTO – The McGuinty government is making schools healthier places for students to learn by directing school boards to remove all junk food from vending machines in elementary schools, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said today.
"Getting junk food out of elementary school vending machines is the next step in our plan to make all of Ontario's schools healthier places to learn," said Kennedy.
"We will continue to work with school boards, schools, educators and parents to improve children's eating habits and to encourage young people to make healthy choices."
As part of the government's healthier schools plan, it has provided $20 million to school boards to help them open up schools to non-profit community groups for use after hours and year-round. Already, boards have begun to sign on to the voluntary agreement, providing increased opportunities for students and other members of the community to stay active. Next steps in the plan will include ensuring students get 20 minutes of daily physical activity by next fall and encouraging parents to pack healthy school lunches.
School boards are being directed to ensure that all elementary schools restrict the sale of food and beverage items in vending machines to healthy choices. They will be required to report back to the government by January 14, 2005.
The guidelines on healthy choices, which are being released today, are based on expert research and recommendations provided by the Dietitians of Canada and provide clear guidance about which foods are appropriate, nutritious choices for children. The guidelines are being sent to all school boards, as well as to the 5,000 members of the Dietitians of Canada across the country. Examples of healthy choices from the guidelines include: Beverages – milk, yogurt-based drinks, 100 per cent fruit juice, vegetable juice, water Snacks – some granola bars, muffins, yogurt, cheese, pretzels, popcorn
"Nutrition is one of the major factors affecting a child's growth and development," said Laurie Curry, Chair of Dietitians of Canada Board of Directors.
"Since roughly one-third of a child's food intake for the day occurs during the school day, Dietitians of Canada is pleased to have the opportunity to influence children's food choices through our collaboration with the Ministry of Education on the development of guidelines for appropriate foods served through elementary school vending machines."
"This policy is a strong first step in improving the food environment for elementary school children across the province," said Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Ministry of Education to promote healthy schools."
The government is responding to growing concern over children's eating habits. According to research cited by the Dietitians of Canada:
* Serving sizes of carbonated beverages have increased by 300 per cent since the 1950s * Approximately 27 per cent of boys and 23 per cent of girls in Grades 6 and 8 consume candy and chocolate bars daily * Milk consumption is almost 30 per cent lower in schools that also sell soft drinks * By the time children reach the "tween" years (9 to 12), many have lifestyle habits that could contribute to them developing cardiovascular disease as early as their 30s
"Many school boards and schools have already eliminated junk food from their vending machines and adopted healthy schools policies," said Kennedy.
"Others have asked us for clear direction on what's acceptable, and we're providing that today. We expect all boards to fully comply with the new nutritional guidelines and replace junk food with healthier food and beverage choices as soon as possible."
