Eat Smart! - Ontario Public Health Association

Eat Smart! - Ontario Public Health Association

www.eatsmartontario.ca
Outline
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Introduction to the Eat Smart!® Program
Eat Smart!® School Program Rationale
Eat Smart!® School Program Standards
How Eat Smart!® School Program Works
Eat Smart!® School Program Promotional
Materials
Conclusion
Next Steps
1. Introduction to Eat Smart!®
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Began in 1999 as Eat Smart!® Ontario’s
Healthy Restaurant Program
Eat Smart!® School and Workplace Cafeteria
Programs were launched in 2001
Eat Smart!® Recreation Centre Program was
pilot tested in 2008 and launched provincially in
2010
Program Standards
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Eat Smart!® School Program is an Award of Excellence
program that recognizes and promotes schools that
meet exceptional standards in:
– Nutrition
– Food Safety
– Smoke-Free School
Consistent requirements that schools must meet in
order to achieve the award
Program Goal
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To contribute to the reduction of food-borne
illness and chronic diseases such as cancer
and heart disease in Ontario
This goal is met by:
 Encouraging schools to achieve the program
standards and join Eat Smart!®
 Providing environmental support for students,
staff and visitors to make healthier food
choices when eating away from home
Target Groups
The beneficiaries of the Eat Smart!® program
include:
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Students
Administration and Teachers
Visitors
School groups and clubs
Food service staff
The Eat Smart!® team
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Eat Smart!® is implemented at the local level
by Ontario’s public health departments/units
The Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) provides
provincial coordination and centralized
development of program materials
The Ministry of Health Promotion provides
provincial funding to support the program
Provincial Partners
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Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division)
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Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Eat Smart!® Provincial
Advisory Committee
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Drawn from key stakeholders and program
implementers
Supports NRC’s work in the coordination of the
Eat Smart!® program
Helps guide program direction and priorities
2. Eat Smart!® School
Program Rationale
Why an Eat Smart!® School Program?
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Teach students about nutrition
Help students to form healthy eating habits
Support the health lessons being taught in the
classroom
Recognition in your community
3. Eat Smart!® School
Program Standards
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Nutrition
Food Safety
Smoke-Free Environment
Nutrition Standard
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Developed to support Canada’s Food Guide
Schools recognized for offering:
– A variety of lower fat and nutritious food
choices on the menu
– Accommodating requests for certain
modifications/substitutions to create
healthier food choices
Nutrition Standard (cont’d)
More specifically:
On the Menu
 At least 75% of sandwich type choices must be whole
grain
 At least 6 choices of vegetables & fruit
 At least 1 meat or ‘meat alternative’ dishes
prepared and served in a lower fat way
 At least 4 lower fat milk products
 All daily specials contain at least 3 food groups
Nutrition Standards (cont’d)
By Request (at no extra cost):
(some examples)
 A substitute for French fries if fries are served
as part of an entree
 Fat based condiments are lower fat
 Tap water is available at all times
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+ several others
Food Safety Standard
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Complies with the Ontario Food Premises Regulations on the
date of inspection
Has a history of compliance with Ontario Food Premises
Regulation (at least 12 months)
Has no pending charges or convictions over the past year
Not confirmed as source of food-borne illness over past year
Minimum of 1 full-time employee certified in safe food
handling
Consents to sharing inspection reports with customers upon
request
Smoke-Free Standard
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All schools applying for the Eat Smart!® award
must be 100% smoke-free and in compliance
with Smoke-Free Ontario Act and not sell any
tobacco or tobacco products
4. How Eat Smart!® School
Program Works
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School applies to the local public health unit
Applications reviewed / assessed
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Food safety inspection
Safe food handlers training organized as
necessary
Assessment of Smoke-Free Standard
Menu review by public health dietitian
How Eat Smart!® School
Program Works (cont’d)
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School is awarded and recognized
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School must re-apply every year
Recognizing Eat Smart!®
Schools
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Provincial Eat Smart!® website School
listing- www.eatsmartontario.ca
Public Health Unit’s website
Local award ceremonies and media
coverage
Award
Certificate
www.eatsmartontario.ca
5. Eat Smart!® School Program
Promotional Materials
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Posters
Locker Mirrors
Staff education pamphlets
6. Conclusion
Becoming an Eat Smart!® School means that
• You will strengthen your image within your
community as being proactive about your students’
health
• You will belong to a province wide program
endorsed by both the Canadian Cancer Society and
the Heart and Stroke Foundation
• You will have promotional opportunities and gain
positive media attention
7. What’s next
Contact your local Public Health Unit
ENTER CONTACT
DETAILS HERE
www.eatsmartontario.ca