This page lists resources and programs that can influence the social environment in schools to promote healthy eating. This can be done through a variety of peer, parent, whole school and community programs, campaigns and projects.

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Action Schools! BC is a best practices model designed to assist schools in creating individual action plans to promote healthy living using a whole school, comprehensive approach. One of the goals of the initiative is to enhance knowledge, affect attitudes and influence eating behaviours, including increasing vegetable and fruit intake. The Healthy Eating pilot demonstrated that the initiative was effective at changing the pattern of vegetable and fruit consumption of school children in Grades 4 to 7 (Day, Strange, & Naylor, 2007).


When you eat together, you eat better: An overview of the Eat Together Initiative from the BC Dairy Foundation includes the rationale and evidence behind the important issue of family mealtime.
http://www.bcdairyfoundation.ca/nutrition_education/docs/Eat_Together-Revised.pdf

Manitoba offered $100 per school for projects relating to nutrition. Over 301 schools participated and MB has published a list of their funded activities.

Drop the Pop is a NWT program to reduce the sale of sugary drinks in schools.

Dairy Farmers of Canada is active across Canada in the areas of school nutrition by way of producing curriculum support materials, Web-related support, teacher training, conducting scientific research, advising on school-related health policies and programs, offering school and nutrition related reports and literature reviews and coordinating school milk programs. Activities vary per jurisdictions. In partnership with local University research teams, conduct research with students to describe eating and physical activity patterns. (Alberta and Ontario). There are two reports pending that have been submitted to the Canadian Journal of Dietetic Research and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. Act as support and catalyst to schools wishing to establish school milk programs and offer nutrition and health seminars and educational materials for parents. Offer recognition awards for teachers & schools to support quality nutrition education. Also offer periodic continuing education events in nutrition and health for those working within the school health sector (B.C. Manitoba, Ontario).

Several jurisdictions within DFC offer nutrition and health education resource materials and supports, including the Dairy Farmers of Canada – Ontario who offer a series of curriculum matched, evaluated resources and workshop opportunities for Ontario schools. Links to the other PT jurisdictions of DFC are available through ‘educational resources’ .

The Alberta Healthy Schools Initiative: Beyond an Apple a Day (2004) is background paper for health professionals and educators. Reality Check I: The Health of our Youth. Is a related literature review that includes an extensive reference list. Some jurisdictions also offer agriculture in the classroom support and classroom visits by Registered Dietitians.

Download "Healthy Ways - Healthy Weight" from Dairy Farmers of Canada. Dietitians of Canada is the nation-wide voice of dietitians. DC brings the knowledge and skills of its members together to inform decisions that affect food, nutrition and health, with impact at the local, regional/provincial, national and international levels.

Some relevant contributions to school health include: Eat Well Play Well – a place for educators, health intermediaries and parents to explore resources and strategies that will support healthy living for school age children and your where they live, learn and play. Mission Nutrition* Adventures in learning created by Canadian dietitians. This program supports teachers with credible curriculum-based resources, easy-to-use lesson plans, and fun student activities. Healthy Eating + Activity Tracker a web-based tool to help Canadians set personal goals and track progress towards achieving healthy eating, physical activity and healthy body weight.

A D.C. 2005 consumer research Speaking of Food and Healthy Living - Children and Healthy Weights: Parents' Perspective. Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition [PEN] - Dietitians of Canada is currently developing a new service for members and other health professionals that will provide ready access to evidence-based practice guidance, tools and resources designed around knowledge pathways. A priority topic for the initial launch will be on obesity prevention and management.

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a national voluntary non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of Canadians by preventing and reducing disability and death from heart disease and stroke through research, health promotion and advocacy. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a Federation of 10 independent Provincial Foundations and one National Office. Some relevant contributions to school health include: yearly report cards on health on hot issues including obesity (2002) and children’s health; The Growing Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke in Canada 2003;

School Nutrition Toolkit from HSF Saskatchewan. A follow up on their report "Nutrition in Saskatchewan Schools" this toolkit is for schools in helping them get started on making their school a healthier place; to assist Canadian parents in improving the lifestyle and eating habits of their children, the Foundation has implemented a number of programs. The Teachers Resource section offers curriculum resource materials for grades K-8. The HeartSmart Family Fun Pack™ incorporates games, tips and information for families on how to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, proper nutrition and a tobacco-free environment.

The Foundation specifically designed its Health Check™ food labeling program to make healthy food choices at the grocery store easier for time-stressed families. For additional nutrition related resources and fact sheets click here. Healthy Lunches to Go Tour - This online tour from the Canadian Health Network is for busy lunch makers in search of simple, healthy and easy to assemble meals for themselves and their children. The online tour includes a healthy lunch checklist, nutrition information, and links to helpful resources.

In Alberta, BLAST (Building Leaders for Action in Schools Today) is an interactive program that educates junior high (grades 7-9) youth about tobacco. Sponsored by Alberta Lung Association and AADAC.
http://www.blastonline.com