New Breakfast Program to be Offered at William E. Hay School, Stettler

Last spring a survey was conducted at Wm. E. Hay School in Stettler, to determine whether there was a need to offer a breakfast program in our school.  The results of the survey showed that one in four students was not eating breakfast before coming to school.  The survey revealed that there were various reasons that the students were not eating in the morning, including not having enough time in the morning, not being hungry at that time, or unable to eat first thing in the morning, a dislike for the food available at home, and because there was no food available at home.  Contrary to what most might think though, the last reason was the least common scenario.

With the survey results in, a committee was formed to get this project off the ground this fall, 2007.  The team consists of staff representatives from Stettler Middle School, Wm. E. Hay Composite High School, David Thompson Health Region and interested parents.  Some funding has been secured through the Breakfast for Learning Program.  This funding will help to get the breakfast program going, but fundraising will need to be continued throughout the year, to ensure sustainability for this program. Sustainability is also directly dependent on parent and community support.

The breakfast program will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 until 8:30 am at no cost to students

Eat Right! Be Bright! The Club Has Launched: Under Construction

Children’s Health And Nutrition Initiative Vital

January 17, 2007  MP calls for national healthy food program

OTTAWA – The Children’s Health and Nutrition Initiative - a proposal to make safe and healthy food available to all of Canada’s children – will help working families address real concerns relating to childhood obesity and malnutrition.

MP Olivia Chow says the initiative calls for universal nutritious food programs to make breakfasts, snacks or lunches available to any child in Canada under the age of 18, in venues deemed most appropriate by each local community.  This initiative will mean that no Canadian child will go to school hungry.

The initiative was unveiled today in Ottawa by a group of concerned Canadians led by Chow, Dr. Robert Cushman, former Medical Officer of Health for the City of Ottawa, Martha O'Connor, Executive Director of Breakfast for Learning, and Ulla Knowles, a parent and Student Nutrition Facilitator at FoodShare Toronto.

Reports indicate that more than seven out of ten children don’t eat the recommended daily minimum of five servings of vegetables and fruit. The number of overweight and obese children doubled among 6-17 year olds between 1979 and 2004, and obesity tripled among Canadian teens. With a far reaching community based program designed to combat both childhood obesity and malnourishment in Canada, the Initiative aims to address these serious health concerns. The initiative reflects input and support from leading nutritionists, food program organizers, health officials, chefs and parents.

“It is time for Canada to show leadership in children’s health, and this practical initiative is an important step,” says Dr. Cushman. “Good nutrition is vital to the health of children – both under-nourishment and obesity carry a heavy cost for families and for society.”

“We have the opportunity to institute healthy practices that will greatly reduce the long term burden of poor childhood nutrition on the health care system and the economy,” said Chow.

Did you know?

1. Canada's Food Guide has been adapted and translated for a variety of cultures?
Check out these other versions.

2. Healthy Lunches to Go Tour:
www.canadian-health-network.ca/healthylunches

Gray-Haddon Foundation Funds Two Alberta Schools

In November 2007, two Alberta schools were chosen to be the recipients of a special grant given by the Gray-Haddon Foundation.  St. Hilda’s, Edmonton and Vista Heights Elementary, Calgary will each receive grants to a maximum of $10,000 per year for the next two and a half years.  They will be implementing school wide breakfast programs using the Breakfast for Learning model for their nutrition programs.  Way to go!”