Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is committed to making environmentally-responsible choices, including the use of this 100%

post-consumer paper, certified Ecologo, processed chlorine free, FSC recycled and manufactured using biogas energy.

D I S T R I C T S C H O O L B O A R D

K A W A R T H A P I N E R I D G E

June 2011 Educating For Success!

Is there flexibility in the nutrition policy? Some flexibility is allowed. The principal may choose up to 10 special exemption days each school year, in consultation with the school council and students. Food and beverages sold on these special event days are not required to meet the nutrition standards; however, schools are still encouraged to sell items that meet the nutrition standards, on special event days.

Together, we can make the healthy choice the easy choice!

For more information, please visit www.ontario.ca/healthyschools or contact your local health unit:

Durham Region Health Department 1-800-841-2729 or www.durham.ca

Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit 1-866-888-4577 or www.hkpr.on.ca

Hasting Prince Edward District Health Unit 1-800-267-2801 or www.hpechu.on.ca

Peterborough County-City Health Unit 705-743-1000 or www.pcchu.ca

In addition, your principal can answer questions about how the policy is being applied in your school.

School Nutrition Policy

A guide for students, parents and guardians

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board1994 Fisher Drive, PO Box 7190

Peterborough, ON K9J 7A1705-742-9773 or toll-free 1-877-741-4577

www.kprschools.ca

Where does the policy not apply? The nutrition standards do not apply to food and beverages that are:

• brought from home for lunches or school snacks • offered to students at no cost• purchased somewhere other than the school, as

long as those items are not offered for resale to students

• sold in schools for non-school purposes, such as those sold by outside organizations using the gymnasium in the evenings for non-school-related events

• sold for fundraising activities that occur away from the school

• sold in staff rooms.

What are the nutrition standards in the policy? The nutrition standards are divided into three categories:

Sell Most Products in this category must make up at least 80% of all food and beverage choices available. They generally have higher levels of essential nutrients and lower levels of fat, sugar or sodium. This category includes items such as fresh fruit and vegetables and lower fat milk.

Sell Less Products in this category must make up 20% or less of all food and beverage choices available. These products may have slightly higher amounts of fat, sugar or sodium than food and beverages in the Sell Most category. This category includes items such as baked snacks.

Not Permitted for Sale Products in this category generally contain few or no essential nutrients, with high amounts of fat, sugar or sodium. Food and beverages in this category may not be sold in schools. This includes items such as chocolate bars and deep fried foods.

The standards support the sale of foods that are prepared in a healthy way, with little or no added fat or sodium. This includes baking, barbecuing, broiling, grilling, poaching, microwaving, boiling, roasting, steaming or stir-frying.

What is the school nutrition policy? The Ministry of Education’s School Food and Beverage Policy requires all food and beverages sold at schools to meet specific nutrition standards. The policy applies to all publicly-funded elementary and secondary schools. The goal is to make schools healthier places for all students to learn.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s (KPR’s) nutrition policy is based on the provincial requirements. Research shows healthy nutrition supports student learning. Well-nourished students tend to:

• concentrate better• remember and apply what they have learned

more effectively• demonstrate positive behaviour and relationships

with others.

How does the school decide which category applies? The school board and schools compare the information from the Nutrition Facts table on food and beverages with the provincial standards. You can see these standards at www.ontario.ca/healthyschools , by clicking on Healthy Foods for Healthy Schools.

What else does the nutrition policy require? • School boards will encourage student nutrition

programs, such as breakfast or snack programs, in all schools.

• Nutrition education, based on Canada’s Food Guide, will be part of the curriculum that students learn.

• Students will be able to drink water throughout the school day.

• School celebrations will provide healthy food, and respect food allergies and cultural diversity.

• Healthy food and beverage choices will be provided at work-related meetings, workshops and events.

• Food will not be used as an incentive or reward for good behaviour, achievement or participation. It also will not be used as a consequence.

• Hand washing will be promoted.• Safe food handling information will be available

to all students, staff, parents and volunteers involved with food activities.

Schools play an important role in teaching students the skills they need to make healthy choices, and in reinforcing those lessons through a healthy school environment.

KPR is committed to promoting and modeling healthy food choices throughout our schools and work sites.

How does the school nutrition policy apply? KPR’s nutrition policy applies to all food and beverages that are:

• sold in all school venues, including cafeterias, vending machines and tuck shops

• available through all school programs, such as catered lunch programs and pizza days

• sold at all school events, such as bake sales and sports events.