Healthy Learning. Healthy Living.
The Healthy Learning Health Living initiative is focused on changing the lifestyle of students, families and communities to enhance food literacy and adoption of health and nutritious eating habits. It includes a variety of approaches such as community outreach, education, curriculum, marketing and funding.
One aspect of the initiative, My Food My Way, is a nutrition campaign that strives to engage high school students through food literacy and cafeterias. As part of this, taste testing sessions were hosted in April 2014 to develop new recipes for TDSB cafeterias. All items were in line with the healthy food guidelines and were developed by George Brown College’s Food Innovation Research Studio. Parents, students and community members were invited to attend a session.
Fuelling Student Success at the TDSB
Making the connection between what we eat and how it affects wellness is one of the most important lessons we can learn when it comes to healthy eating. At the TDSB, we focus on empowering you or your child to take charge of your own wellness, and sharing your knowledge to promote healthy eating throughout your school community.
TDSB Student Nutrition Programs
Toronto District School Board, through its Nutrition Foundation Statement, recognizes the direct relationship between healthy nutrition and the academic achievement of our students. Well-nourished children are ready and able to learn in our classrooms.
The TDSB is committed to working with its community partners to ensure that students have equitable access to high quality school-based nutrition programs and that through curriculum activities, have opportunities to develop good nutrition habits that last a lifetime. Our Nutrition Liaison Officers support close to 600 programs in 420 schools feeding over 150,000 students per day.
Angela Dozzi
Coordinator, Student Nutrition Program 416 394-7435
angela.dozzi@tdsb.on.ca
Michelle Murdock - Learning Centre 1
michelle.murdock@tdsb.on.ca
416 394-3324
Mary Molinaro – Learning Centre 2
mary.molinaro@tdsb.on.ca
416 394-7436
Durward Anthony – Learning Centre 3
durward.anthony@tdsb.on.ca
416 394-7303
Lynne Martens – Learning Centre 4
lynne.martens@tdsb.on.ca
416 394-7159
Feeding hungry students
Access to fresh and affordable food is a starting point to a healthy diet. Lack of access to healthy foods has affected both low-income urban and rural communities for decades. A study released by the TDSB shows the significant role a nutritious breakfast plays in academic success.
Are you interested in volunteering with the nutrition program at your child’s school? Or have questions about the nutrition programs offered? Please speak to your principal or review these frequently asked questions for further information.
To find out more about our student nutrition programs and how our community partners support the programs, please visit Toronto Foundation for Student Success or www.studentnutritiontoronto.ca
Building healthy eating habits
Students can face many obstacles when it comes to maintaining their health. An increasing availability of tempting high calorie, low nutrient food makes making healthy choices hard, and is contributing to rising levels of obesity in adults and kids. Obesity affects children both physically and mentally, and can prevent them from reaching their potential and getting the most out of life.
A healthy body image is often as important as a healthy body. Students are under increasing pressure to achieve an “ideal” body size and shape that is often unrealistic, and can lead to a variety of eating disorders which are damaging to ones health and can even be fatal. Learn more at Health Starts with a Healthy Body Image.
Also check out our health and physical education page to read more on how the TDSB is preventing childhood obesity by getting kids active.
Growing healthy right in the schoolyard
Our schools, especially elementary schools, are increasingly tapping into the benefits of food gardens. Schoolyard gardens provide opportunities for children to dig and have fun, learn how to grow food, study nutrition, taste healthy foods, and examine environmental and social issues related to food and food security.
A fresh approach on the menu
We recognize the important role school cafeterias play in you or your child’s health. We believe you can make healthy choices if you are given healthy alternatives to traditional cafeteria fare. The TDSB is committed to providing you with nutritious and also delicious snack and lunch options in our cafeterias.
Ontario's School Food and Beverage Policy requires at least 80 percent of food served in school cafeterias to be fresh produce, whole grains and extra-lean meats.