This document outlines Ontario's School Food and Beverage Policy which establishes nutrition standards for all food and beverages sold in schools. It requires school boards to ensure all food and beverages sold on school premises meet the nutrition criteria outlined in the policy by September 2011. The policy aims to address high obesity and overweight rates among children by promoting healthy eating habits in schools which research shows influences student attitudes and behaviors. It exempts some foods from the standards and allows 10 days per year where foods not meeting the standards can be sold.

1. Policy/Program Memorandum No. 150
Date of Issue: January 15, 2010
Effective: Until revoked or modified
Subject: SCHOOL FOOD AND BEVERAGE
POLICY

2. PPM 150
• School boards are required to ensure that
all food and beverages sold on school
premises for school purposes meet the
requirements of this memorandum,
including the nutrition standards set out in
the Appendix to this memorandum, by
September 1, 2011.

3. THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
… is committed to
making schools
healthier places for
students in order to
establish the
conditions needed to
realize the potential
of all students.

4. THE PROBLEM
 In 2004, the overweight rate for children
aged 2-17 years old was 18% and obese
8% - a combined rate of 26%.

5. Obesity is linked to 41 separate adverse
health outcomes …

6. LACK OF CONCERN...
 75% of parents with overweight kids were
not "concerned" about the child's weight.

7. THE COST
 Type II diabetes, once known as adult-
onset diabetes, is now being diagnosed in
kids as young as 9 or 10.
 The cost of dealing with diabetes alone
will soon eat up over 15 % of health care
budgets.

8.  Poor eating behaviours established in
childhood are likely to continue into
adulthood
 This increases the risk that people will
develop serious costly diseases

9. RESEARCH
 Health and education success are intertwined …
schools cannot achieve their primary mission of
education if students are not healthy.
 Healthy eating patterns in childhood and
adolescence promote optimal childhood health,
growth, and intellectual development.
 The school environment profoundly influences
students' attitudes, preferences, and behaviours

10. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY
 Paragraphs 29.3 and 29.4 of subsection 8(1) of the
Education Act provide the Minister of Education with
the authority to establish a policy with respect to
nutrition standards for food and beverages and for
any ingredient contained in food and beverages
provided on school premises or in connection with a
school-related activity, and to require school boards
to comply with the policy.

11. RATIONALE FOR A SCHOOL FOOD
AND BEVERAGE POLICY
 contributes to improved education and
health outcomes for all students
 reinforces the knowledge, skills, and
attitudes regarding healthy eating that are
developed through the various subjects
and disciplines in the Ontario curriculum.

12. THE STANDARDS
 Nutrition Standards for Food and Beverages
outline nutrition criteria that food and beverages
must meet in order to be sold in schools.
 Includes all food and beverages sold in all
venues through all programs and at all events.
 Standards for beverages are provided separately
for elementary schools and secondary schools.

13. THE STANDARDS
 The nutrition criteria are provided in the following
categories:
 Sell Most (≥ 80%). Products in this category have higher
levels of essential nutrients and lower amounts of fat,
sugar, and/or sodium.
 Sell Less (≤ 20%). Products in this category may have
slightly higher amounts of fat, sugar, and/or sodium than
food and beverages in the "Sell Most" category..
 Not Permitted for Sale. Products in this category
generally contain few or no essential nutrients and/or
contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and/or sodium. Food
and beverages in this category may not be sold
in schools.

14. EXEMPTION FOR
SPECIAL EVENT DAYS
 The school principal may designate up to
ten days (or fewer, as determined by the
school board) during the school year on
which food and beverages sold in schools
would be exempt from the standards.
 The school principal must consult with the
school council prior to designating a day as
a special-event day.

15. THE STANDARDS DO NOT APPLY
…to food and beverages that are:
 offered in schools to students at no cost.
 brought from home or purchased off school premises and are
not for resale in schools.
 available for purchase during field trips off school premises.
 sold in schools for non-school purposes (e.g., sold by an
outside organization that is using the gymnasium after school
hours for a non-school–related event).
 sold for fundraising activities that occur off school premises;
 sold in staff rooms.

16. PREVENTION TIPS
 Discuss the healthy schools priorities for your school
and communicate them with all school staff and
students.
 Identify community partners that can help implement
healthy schools activities.
 Participate in healthy school initiatives yourself and
provide ongoing input to your school‟s activities as
it‟s being implemented.
 Include healthy schools activities as apart of your
school‟s improvement plans. www.edu.gov.on.ca

17. TOOLS
 What You Need To Know About The School Food
and Beverage Policy
 Foundations for a Healthy School (PDF, 69 KB)
 Six Steps Toward a Healthier School
 Questions and Answers for Teachers, Principals, and
Administrators
 How Healthy Is Your School? (Survey/Checklist)
 Calendar of Health Promotion Dates

18. BUILDING AWARENESS &
MOMENTUM
 Provide updates at school council meetings
 Include articles in school newsletters and web pages
 Include information and updates in daily
announcements
 Create bulletin board displays throughout the school
showing photographs of students, staff and
members of the community involved in healthy
schools initiatives
 Hold assemblies with guest speakers.
www.edu.gov.on.ca

19. PROGRAMS?
 You have five minutes to come up with the
best way of rolling out PPM 150
 Collaborate!
 The most „palletable‟ program wins!

20. ideas
 Model the way – staff especially
 Meal plan at secondary level – community or government partners
 Point system – teachers included – points for healthy living –
DPA/eating … fruit + veggie party end of month
 Opt out of opt out. (with reality in mind)
 Culinary experts from outside in your class!
 Tenders need to involve „the new way‟
 Be sure hospitality programs are up to speed
 Connect with your High School or College
 Connect with the community restaurants! Connect to culture –
curriculum connections!!
 Take homes for kids
 Eat Well to Excel
 „special food days‟ … 5 days a week! School Council involved.

21. YOU ALL WIN!
01 03 11 27 38 41 47

22. A SUCCESS STORY
Forest Manor Public School, Toronto (2009-2010)
Every Wednesday is “Wellness Wednesday” at Forest Manor Public
School. Students bring in fruits and vegetables for lunch that earn
them points toward a piece of equipment for outdoor activities.
The points are assigned by student “Wellness Inspectors.” All
grades join in the fun which rewards healthy eating with active
play time. Erika Damiano is a teacher at Forest Manor Public
School who has watched the program blossom. “The entire
school community should be congratulated for the success of
Wellness Wednesday. Our Toronto Schools on the Move
Committee planted the seed, but it was the enthusiasm of staff
and students that made the program into what it is today.”
www.edu.gov.on.ca