Menu Makeover

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Getting Started

Improving the menu for food offered and sold to students and staff (e.g. catered lunches in elementary schools, graduation dinners, pizza parties, staff meetings, etc.) is a great way to boost student health, support learning, and reinforce classroom lessons. These meals can also be used to celebrate food cultures, develop taste buds, and learn new food skills. Earn this badge by improving the catered food menu(s) using the Helpful Tools and Activities provided!

Steps To Earn This Badge

Step 1 - Ask the Students

Ask students what kinds of food they would like to try. Have them taste possible menu options and vote on their favourites.

Step 2 - Start a Conversation

If your school has a catered lunch committee or someone that oversees the ordering of the catered lunches or other catering, connect with them to discuss possible improvements to the menu. Ask your public health dietitian (see Learn More) for advice on nutrition, cultural diversity, food allergies, food safety etc. and whether they can work with your school and food provider. Ask food providers if they are willing to make changes. Remember to ask parents for their input!

Step 3 - Do a Nutrition Checkup

Use the Tips for Menu Makeovers (see Helpful Tools and Activities) to help make the menu more nutritious. Menus must follow these tips to earn this badge! For example, food sold to students at school must meet PPM 150, and must include vegetables and/or fruits with every meal.

Step 4 - Make it Fun

Choose at least one of the activities below, or come up with your own fun idea to get everyone excited about your new and improved menus!

Badge Inspiration

Innovative and inspirational ideas submitted from schools across the province!
Taste test new menu items with students before committing to them
Put announcements in the school newsletter to keep parents in the loop with the positive changes to the menus
Use different themes during the year to complement your improved menus
Have students practice their food skills by running a smoothie bar on your catered lunch days
Start a school salad bar with tastes and flavours from around the world

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