Food in schools

 

Recently, a study was released indicating that grade 5 students who buy lunches at school were at increased risk of being overweight. Partially in response to this, the Nova Scotia Deopartment of Education has taken the initiative to establish acceptable guidelines for what foods can and can not be served in Novas Scotia schools. The press release (Chroinicle Herald - Oct, 9, 2005) reads as follows:

New policy aimed at better school food choices
Parents, schools, nutritionists and others will be able to contribute
to a new policy aimed at healthier food and beverage choices in Nova
Scotia schools.

"Children and youths need healthy foods to learn, to grown and to
develop into healthy, productive adults," Education Minister Jamie
Muir said in a release.

Proposed changes include standards for food and drinks served or sold
in school cafeterias, affordability and student involvement in
planning menus.

"Healthy food choices need to be available and accessible in all
places were children live, learn and play," Health Promotion Minister
Rodney MacDonald added.

A recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information said
children who buy lunch at school are more likely to be overweight.

The draft policy and framework can be found at http://ednet.ns.ca/ healthy_eating/ or www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/healthyeating.html. Deadline for
input is Oct. 21.

 

Some of the foods soon to be banned from our cafeteria include chocolate bars, chips, pizza, bread sticks, doughnuts and pasteries, pretzels, cookies, candy, coffee, pop, slushies, hot dogs, and fried foods. This includes fund raising opportunities (like the band cheesecake sale and chocolate bar fund raisers).

Fortunately, the DoE is accepting feedback on this policy until October 21, 2005. This gives you plenty of time to construct an argument supporting, challenging or offering various feedback on the topic. A FULL PAGE, SINGLE SPACED RESPONSE will do nicely for today's class.

 

 

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