A new report is calling for healthier lunches in schools.
To get away from pizza, burgers and fries, Nova Scotia’s Auditor General Kim Adair says the first thing needed is a long overdue update to the food guide.
The policy was introduced in our schools in 2006, but it’s still based on the 1992 food guide.
“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development created the first Food and Nutrition Policy for Nova Scotia Public Schools in 2006 to provide guidelines and directives to ensure food served in public schools is healthy and in line with Canada’s Food Guide.” – Auditor General’s Report on Healthy Food in Schools
Adair says the policy is based on the 1992 Canada Food Guide, even though updated versions were released in 2007 and 2019.
Obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last three decades, and Nova Scotia’s rate is trending higher than the national average.
“This emphasizes the importance of taking preventive action early in childhood. Providing healthy food to students at school can help influence future eating habits, which should ultimately lead to healthier adults,” says Adair.
Studies show overweight or obese children are at much greater risk for several chronic diseases and a healthy menu at school can make a difference.
“The province has a crucial role to play because healthy food choices can have a significant effect on learning readiness and academic success, and they can also help set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating,” she explains.
On a positive note, she found the breakfast program is filled with good options and free in most places in Nova Scotia but the lunch menu needs an overhaul.
Additionally, the audit noted many good practices in place at South Shore Regional Centre for Education. Adair believes their practices could be used as a model across the province.
The audit period covered September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. It included stops at 26 schools.
The 10 audit recommendations, including updating and regularly evaluating the provincial school nutrition policy, have been accepted by both the department and Nova Scotia Health, with plans for implementation getting underway in the fall.
