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Province touts benefits as school nutrition program rolled out provincewide

Nov 20, 2017 | 9:44 AM

EDMONTON – A pilot project to incorporate nutrition programs in schools is being rolled out across the province.

Highlights from the $3.5 million pilot project that took place during the 2016-17 school year were released Monday, Nov. 20. The provincial budget included an additional $10 million to allow every school district in Alberta to take part, with $141,000 for each of the new school divisions and $250,000 to continue the program in the pilot school boards.

Each school board must show it is adhering to the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth, and must include a nutrition education component.

Among those which took part in the pilot was Livingstone Range School Division. W.A. Day School in Fort Macleod and Canyon Elementary in Pincher Creek are serving 225-250 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks each day. Both schools had breakfast programs already, but the goal of the project was to improve the quality, add a weekly high-quality lunch, and make snacks available during the day.

The school division is engaging students to help determine the menus and prepare and serve food. It has also partnered with support agencies and local business.

Another pilot school is Cardston Elementary, in the Westwind School Division. It has used the program to enhance its existing breakfast, served to 150 students each day. It is also serving 20 lunches and 300 snacks, and is also providing fruit and vegetable tastings and smoothies.

While it couldn’t prove a direct link to the nutrition program, the school reports improved attendance, with fewer office referrals.

Speaking in Edmonton at one of the pilot schools, Education Minister David Eggen called the results impressive.

“We’ve seen improved student attendance, a decrease in negative behaviour, and an increased sense of healthy food choices among students,” he said in a news release.