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Badges

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 one or more of the badges listed below! 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.

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Cook It Up

PREPARING FOOD

If you haven’t done so already, it is ideal to 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

Learning to prepare food builds self-esteem, confidence and a sense of achievement while developing valuable life skills. Students who learn to prepare foods are more likely to try new foods, eat better and be more confident in the kitchen, now and in the future.


Read more here about the badge: Cook It Up

Eating at School

EATING AT SCHOOL

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 meal times when they have enough time to eat,  they can eat food items sent from home without comment, mindful eating is encouraged with minimal distractions (e.g., screen time), and they can socialize with peers.


Read more here about the badge: Eating at School

Fresh It Up

CAFETERIA ENVIRONMENT

If you haven’t done so already, it is ideal to 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

The school cafeteria should be a place where students want to go to eat, socialize and relax before and between classes.  To enjoy food, students need a pleasant and safe eating environment.  Creating an inviting, comfortable and safe space will encourage students to stay at school instead of leaving school property for food, increasing the likelihood that students stay safe and connected within the school community.  Students are more likely to eat nutritious foods when these foods are available, visible, appealing and affordable.


Read more here about the badge: Fresh It Up

Green Thumb

SCHOOL GARDENS

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

Growing food helps students learn where food comes from and may spark interest in eating vegetables, fruit and other nutritious plant foods. There are lots of opportunities within the curriculum to incorporate garden activities, indoors or out,  for hands-on learning. Outdoor school gardens have the added bonus of increasing physical activity and a sense of community.


Read more here about the badge: Green Thumb

It’s an Honour

REWARDS AND INCENTIVES

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

Rewarding student achievements or behaviours with food can lead to unintended negative consequences for their relationship with food. Offering food as a reward disrupts a student’s ability to recognize their own hunger cues and promotes the belief that food must be earned. To foster a healthy relationship with food, it is better to acknowledge students’ accomplishments through non-food rewards such as positive statements, classroom privileges, extra recess, collaborative games, stickers, certificates, physical activity, or other non-food incentives.


Read more here about the badge: It’s an Honour

Menu Makeover

CATERED LUNCHES/OTHER CATERING

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

Improving the menu for food and beverages offered and sold to students and staff (e.g., catered lunches, graduation dinners, and staff meetings) is a great way to support student health and learning.  These meals can also be used to celebrate food cultures, develop taste buds and learn new food skills.


Read more here about the badge: Menu Makeover

Reason to Celebrate

Celebrations

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 like students, staff, parents, and 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

Celebrations are exciting! They are also great opportunities to be active, have fun, be creative, share food, and enjoy time together.  Celebrations can also have a non-food focus and offer opportunities for play and time to enjoy music, dance, games and other fun activities. Food-free celebrations take the pressure off teachers and parents to supply additional food and ensure that no students are excluded due to food allergies or other food-related practices. When food is part of a special event, try to link it with scheduled meal and snack times and offer various options including fruit and vegetables. 


Read more here about the badge: Reason to Celebrate

Rise and Shine

STUDENT NUTRITION PROGRAM

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.


Read more here about the badge: Rise and Shine

Save the Planet

ENVIRONMENT

Pre-Amble/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, and 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

What we eat has an impact on our environment. Our global food system accounts for 25-30% of total greenhouse gas emissions (add ref). This includes growing and producing food, as well as processing, packaging and transporting foods all over the world. Since everyone eats, we are all part of this food system. That means we can also make choices that help our planet, like eating more plant-based proteins, promoting reusable containers/utensils/dishes, and reducing food waste.


Read more here about the badge: Save the Planet

Show Me the Money

FUNDRAISING

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, and 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

Schools value and promote student health and well-being, and students learn about healthy eating in the classroom. Believe it or not, schools can earn money by fundraising with fruits and veggies, as well as non-food items and events -they can be just as profitable!

 


Read more here about the badge: Show Me the Money

Water Works

WATER PROMOTION

Providing and promoting water, especially in place of sugar-sweetened beverages, can help prevent dental cavities, promote overall health, and help students and staff feel better throughout the day. Earn this badge by promoting water as the beverage of choice at school.


Read more here about the badge: Water Works