Food and Nutrition in Schools

Schools have an important responsibility to provide students with supportive eating environments, teach nutrition in a positive way, and create hands-on opportunities to learn about and experience food. Learn more: Nurturing Healthy Eaters in Elementary Schools and Secondary Schools

Resources for

Food and Nutrition

Contact a Public Health Dietitian or Public Health Nurse by emailing [email protected] for help and advice on food and nutrition in schools.

Watch this short video to learn more about teaching food and nutrition, and what it means to develop a positive relationship with food: Teach Food First - YouTube
Review these Guiding Principles for talking and teaching about food and nutrition on BrightBites and find lesson plans and other activities aligned with the Ontario curriculum
Teach about Canada’s Food Guide using the tips and lesson ideas in Canada’s Food Guide: Toolkit for Educators
Use the Hamilton Edible Education Guide, 2024 to find local food literacy programming, field trips, and resources.
Teach Food Literacy and the Ontario science curriculum using lesson plans and hands-on learning resources on the Food is Science website.
Teach about food and food systems using AgScape classroom programs and resources for grades 1-12

Encourage staff to reflect on how their own attitudes and beliefs around food, eating and body image, influence their interactions with students. Learn more here: Evaluate your biases - Canada's Food Guide
Ensure the school environment is inclusive and safe for all bodies – Review Mental Health and Weight Bias in schools
Create a Supportive Food Environment in your school and classrooms – learn more on BrightBites.ca/School Food Climate

Provide students with hands-on experiences involving food – check out these ideas from Growing Chefs Ontario
Support school-wide campaigns and events like the Great Big Crunch or World Milk Day
Offer students opportunities to learn food skills using ideas from Bright Bites Cook It Up or Six by Sixteen website
Before using food as part of classroom lessons, be sure to review Strategies for Preparing Food at School and Kitchen Safety Tips

Make the school cafeteria or other eating spaces safe and pleasant using ideas from Fresh It Up
Share this printable handout with parents/caregivers - School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch
When preparing and/or serving food at school, be sure to follow basic food safety practices.
Ensure that students and staff have easy access to clean, fresh water to drink during the school day, and at all school events and celebrations. Learn about the City of Hamilton Reusable Water Bottle Program and other educational resources.

Promote or start a student nutrition program that provides meals and/or snacks to students. Learn more from the Hamilton Tastebuds: Student Nutrition Collaborative.
Browse BrightBites – a website from Ontario Dietitians in Public Health -- to find evidence-based ideas and resources to help parent councils and school community members improve their school’s food environment.
Ensure food offered or sold to students and staff meets existing Food and Beverage Policies and Guidelines. For tips and ideas that also celebrate diversity and promote food literacy go to BrightBites.ca/What’s on the Menu.
Start or continue a school milk program.
Consider fundraising with out using food Try a dance-a-thon, sell poinsettias or magazines or fruit like oranges and grapefruit. Try the Fresh from the Farm program.
For information on programs and services that provide food and other support for children and families experiencing food insecurity refer to the Hamilton Food Access Guide.

Ressources Du Service De Santé Publique En Français

Certains renseignements et certaines ressources du Service de santé publique présentés sur cette page Web pourraient être disponibles en français. Communiquez avec l’infirmière affectée à votre école ou envoyez au courriel à [email protected] pour en savoir plus long sur les ressources et les services offerts en français.

Date modified

November 08, 2024