Rise and Shine
STUDENT NUTRITION PROGRAM
Getting Started
If you haven’t done so already, it is ideal to gather a group of interested people (representing various parts of the school community; students, staff, parents, community members) to work together on earning this badge. In addition, make sure to engage the entire school community throughout your work, and provide opportunities for input. This will help increase buy-in from your school community.
Badge Benefits
Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs) are a great way to provide students with nutritious foods to fuel their minds and bodies. Eating a variety of foods can help children be more alert and perform better at school.
Steps To Earn This Badge
Step 1 - Explore Your School Community
Does your school have a Student Nutrition Program (SNP)? If yes, what is working well and what could be improved? If no, is there interest in starting one? What can help you successfully start a SNP? What challenges might you face?
Ask students if there are new foods or recipes they would like to try through the SNP.
Ask parents, other teachers and students if they would like to be involved in the SNP.
Step 2 - Make a Plan and Have Fun Completing It
Use the information found under Learn More, Helpful Tools and Activities and Badge Inspiration to create a plan that works for you and your goals. Involve all key partners and have fun completing your plan.
Step 3 - Evaluate and Celebrate
Was the creation of, or enhancements to, your SNP successful? What worked well? Did you experience any challenges? How did you deal with them?
Would you do things differently next time? Did the number of students accessing the program change as a result of your efforts?
Did you receive any feedback from students or parents?
Celebrate! You should be proud of your efforts to boost nutrition at your school!
Step 4 - Keep it Alive
How can you continue to make sure your SNP is the best it can be? If you haven’t already, you may want to consider creating an ongoing healthy school committee. You may also want to consider developing school guidelines or policies for lasting change.
Badge Inspiration
- Innovative and inspirational ideas submitted from schools across the province!
- To start a program at your school, contact your local program provider or the lead SNP agency for schools in your region.
- Have students come up with some new recipes and have a taste test to decide which ones will be on the menu.
- Create a Student Nutrition Program (SNP) Student Advisory Committee – let students help plan the menu, help with food preparation and promote the program to their peers
- Hold a Family Day and invite parents and caregivers to the breakfast program for breakfast – in addition to a great day, you may get new volunteers too!
- Try New Food Fridays to introduce new menu items.
