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1. The purpose of this report is to provide the Board with an overview...
The purpose of this report is to provide the Board with an overview of Ottawa Public
Health's (OPH's) work with local partners to improve food environments, discuss
opportunities for progress in Ottawa, and to recommend that the Government of Ontario be
asked to take further action to advance healthy public policy related to food environments
in child care settings.
Parents know how important healthy eating is, however, they often feel undermined by
larger societal forces, including the easy availability and heavy marketing of energy dense
nutrient poor foods and beverages, lack of easy to understand information regarding the
calories in many foods - particularly meals served in restaurants, and for some families,
problems finding and/or affording nutritious foods.
Food environments are places where people purchase, have access to or consume food,
including homes, schools, recreation centres, workplaces, childcare centres, grocery stores,
restaurants and hospitals. Food environments influence the selection and availability of
nutritious foods. Having access to safe, high quality, affordable, and nutritious foods is
central to overall health and reduces the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases and
obesity.
Methodology
OPH has been utilizing a "whole of community‟ approach to improve food environments in
Ottawa with efforts focused on where people live, work, play and learn. Current projects
undertaken with partners include:
● Expanding availability of fruits and vegetables in communities with limited food access
through Good Food Markets and promotion of the Good Food Box; ● Educating residents on
the benefits of menu labelling;
● Launching a pilot project with local restaurants to add calorie and sodium information on
menus and display boards;
● Contributing to the selection process of street food vendors to increase healthy and safe
food choices to patrons;
● Educating parents and caregivers on healthy food routines;
● Promoting healthy eating messages and policies in workplaces across Ottawa;
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● Providing education and consultation to local schools on implementation of the Ontario
School Food and Beverage Policy; and

2. ● Training breakfast program volunteers and staff on healthy eating and food preparation.
In addition, OPH has been working with the City of Ottawa's Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Services Department to improve foods available through snack vending machines. Vendors
are now required to ensure that at least half of the offerings in the machines are considered
Eat Smart! choices, which are defined by a points system that uses sugar, trans fat, salt, and
fibre content. Further progress has been made with the removal of energy drinks from the
beverage vending machines.
Results
Our partnership with the City of Ottawa Community and Social Services Department has
resulted in the establishment of Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Guidelines, a new
policy for municipal childcare facilities. The guidelines, which were originally requested by
Childcare Services, were developed collaboratively with administrators, child care
educators, cooks, dietitians and nurses. In 2013, they were implemented in 11 municipal
facilities to improve food environments for 550 of Ottawa‟s preschool children.
The guidelines include information on menu planning, nutritious foods and beverages,
healthy and supportive eating environments, healthy cooking tips, food safety and
education and support for staff and parents. The guidelines also improves food
environments by ensuring that all children have healthy meals and a positive eating
environment while in care and that childcare providers role model healthy food skills.
Subsequently, guidelines on physical activity have also been incorporated. Early evaluations
report high staff engagement, positive parent response, improved eating and physical
activity levels as well as reduced need for discipline and fewer injuries.
Discussion
The Government of Ontario's proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 262 under the Day
Nurseries Act is intended to address three priority areas: program quality; access and
flexibility; and health and safety. The proposed amendments that relate to nutrition will
require licensed daycare operators to follow the latest version of Canada's Food Guide, have
menus reviewed by a registered dietitian and establish policies and procedures describing
their approach to providing high quality meals and snacks as well as positive mealtime
experiences. These recommendations are a good first step to improving the food
environment in daycares.
The School Food and Beverage Policy provides nutrition standards, based on Canada's Food
Guide. For example, it identifies preferred foods that must make up at least 80% of all food
choices and beverage choices. These foods generally have higher levels of
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essential nutrients and lower amounts of fat, sugar and/or sodium. Having consistent
nutrition standards will facilitate a more seamless transition to schools for the children and
makes it logistically easier for caterers and food suppliers that serve both populations. This
will become more frequent as early child education becomes more integrated with schools.
If the government adopts the proposed nutritional requirements, OPH's HEAL guidelines,
which includes menus for daycares, could be provided to daycares across the province to
enable a turnkey plan for provincial implementation for the new requirements.
Conclusion

3. There is growing interest and support at the community, municipal and provincial levels to
improve food environments. Anticipated provincial legislation relating to Menu Labelling,
Advertising to Children and the Child Care Modernization Act are examples of the
momentum to address childhood obesity.
Locally, OPH will continue to promote a "whole of community" approach as outlined in the
HEAL Strategy to improve social and physical environments. New activities for 2014
includes working with the Poverty and Hunger Working Group to launch a mobile grocery
bus to better reach neighbourhoods where affordable healthy food is limited and
implementing the voluntary menu labelling project at locations such as Gabriel Pizza and
Bridgehead.
The enthusiasm generated by the Municipal HEAL Child Care Policy is expanding into child
care agencies across Ottawa. Utilizing the resources and tools from the municipal pilot, OPH
now offers the HEAL Guidelines to the approximately 350 licensed child care centres in
Ottawa.
The City of Ottawa is uniquely positioned to contribute to improving food environments
through policies, plans and programming. OPH will continue to work across municipal
departments to improve current and develop new policies based on evidence, feasibility
and effectiveness in helping residents eat well and be healthy.
Recommendation
That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa approve that the Chair of the Board of Health
write a letter to the Minister of Education, with a copy to the Minister of Health and
Longterm Care, supporting the Government of Ontario's proposed amendments to the
nutrition requirements of Ontario Regulation 262, under the Day Nurseries Act. The letter
should also encourage that these nutrition requirements be strengthened by aligning them
with the nutrition standards set out in the Ontario School Food and Beverage policy.