The concerns

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In the 2021 Nutrition Report Card, Alberta received an overall grade of ‘D’, indicating that the province was not meeting the overall indicators and benchmarks for the healthy eating practices of children and youth. Specifically in schools, a grade of ‘C’ was received, with key disadvantages identified as the voluntary nature of school nutrition programs and the absence of mandatory school food policies that promote healthy eating environments. This grade has been consistent each year since 2015. 

 

Proposals from the 2021 Nutrition Report Card for improvements include:

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• Annual monitoring of school food policies and foods offered

• Implementation of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth

• Designation of a school champion to oversee implementation 

• The development of healthy food procurement contracts that adhere to nutrition standards, encompassing all foods and beverages served in schools

• Mandating a provincial school nutrition policy

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The Solution: A National School Food Program

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The federal government of Canada has committed to $1 billion over five years for a National School Food Program and as of June 2024, introduced a National School Food Policy with the vision “That all children and youth in Canada have access to nutritious food at school, in an inclusive, non-stigmatizing environment that fosters healthy practices, while strengthening connections with local food systems, the environment and culture.” (page 14). 

 

The policy helps to address many gaps in the current state of school food programs across the country, and aims to work with all orders of government, organizations, school communities, volunteers, and Indigenous partners to build on the strengths of existing programs. 

 

The Coalition as part of the Submission to the Federal Pre-Budget Consultations in advance of the 2025 Budget has therefore urged the Government of Canada to fast-track negotiations with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous leaders based on the National School Food Policy. As of September 2024, the Government of Alberta has not signed an agreement with the federal government. 

 

Accepting federal funding can benefit the Alberta government through:

• Creating additional jobs and related opportunities for food service workers and local food producers

• Increasing access for local farmers to new markets and business opportunities

• Providing a return on investment to the human health and economic benefits of Candians

Additional benefits of the impact of investing in school food can be found here.