Eating at School
EATING AT SCHOOL
Getting Started
Pre-Amble/Getting Started
If you haven’t done so already, get together a group of interested people from the school community (e.g. students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and other community members) to work on this badge. Be sure to engage the entire school community and provide opportunities for input as the work progresses. This will help increase buy-in from your school community.
Badge Benefits
Most students eat at least one meal at school every day. Creating a supportive and positive environment for student eating can greatly contribute to their overall well-being. Students thrive at mealtimes when they have enough time to eat, they can eat food items sent from home without comment, mindful eating is encouraged with minimal distractions, and they can socialize with peers.
Steps To Earn This Badge
Step 1 - Explore Your School Community
Do students have enough time to eat? Do they rush eating because they’re excited about going for recess? (Recommendation - 20 minutes minimum?)
Do lunch monitors understand their role? Do they allow students to eat what was sent from home without comment? Do they let students follow their internal hunger and fullness cues?
Is the eating space set up so that students can socialize and interact appropriately?
Step 2 - Make a Plan and Have Fun Completing It
Use the information under Learn More, Helpful Tools and Activities and Badge Inspiration to create a plan that works for your school community. Involve the whole school community and have fun completing your plan.
Step 3 - Evaluate and Celebrate
Were your efforts successful? What worked well? Did you experience any challenges? How did you deal with them?
Would you do things differently next time?
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 ensure eating environments remain supportive and pleasant for students? If you haven’t already, you may want to consider 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!
- For schools on a balanced day scheduled, put recess time first so that students don’t rush their eating time
- Create a calm, sensory friendly environment (e.g., dimming lights, playing soft music, having no screens on, encouraging students to speak in soft voices)
- Provide training to lunchroom monitors and adults in classroom about ensuring students can eat what’s in their lunch without any comments (order, types of food, amounts)
