Media Release October 19

	Renfrew County and District Health Unit

Media Release (PDF version 1 page, 10 KB)
October 19, 2011

Health Unit calls on school community members to create a Healthy School Nutrition Environment

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit invites school community members to come together to create supportive nutrition environments in schools and to promote lifelong healthy eating behaviours with the launch of its Healthy School Nutrition Environment Campaign in October.

"Poor eating habits can have lasting effects on children's health, learning and school performance" states Carolyn Froats-Emond, Community Dietitian with the Health Unit. "Well-nourished children are more likely to get the energy they need to grow, be active, stay healthy and do well at school."

With the introduction of the Ministry of Education's School Food and Beverage Policy and Program Memorandum (PPM 150) in January 2010, increased attention is being paid to the types of food and beverages sold in schools. "PPM 150 is one of a number of components to creating a healthy nutrition environment," says Froats-Emond.

A healthy school nutrition environment exists when a school promotes healthy eating for students through words and actions. Students are taught healthy eating lessons, and are given plenty of opportunities to practice what they learn. A healthy school nutrition environment addresses all foods and beverages, both offered and sold to children and youth. It engages the entire school community (school boards, principals, teachers, parents, students) in helping children to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills to be lifelong healthy eaters.

Offering healthy choices at the school breakfast program or for classroom celebrations and sporting events, fundraising with oranges instead of chocolate bars, using stickers or extra gym time instead of candy to reward behaviour, sharing tips on packing healthy lunches and snacks with parents, and running a breakfast promotion campaign are ways schools can reinforce healthy eating.

With support from both the Renfrew County Catholic and the Renfrew County District School Boards, school community members will learn about and in turn promote a healthy school nutrition environment, its importance and how it can be achieved. A series of media ads will remind community members that we all play a role to promote healthy eating in schools. Health Unit staff will work with individuals schools to identify priority areas for change and facilitate action plans with practical resources and support. The Health Unit will also collect local success stories to feature in regular updates to schools.

For more information about this Campaign, contact Carolyn Froats-Emond, Community Dietitian, Renfrew County and District Health Unit at 613-735-8651, ext. 527.

Renfrew County and District Health Unit "Promoting Healthy People in a Healthy Environment"