Hi all. FYI, BC has some new proposed, voluntary guidelines for all food served and sold in schools, both in meal programs and also at special events. It’s worth taking a read: the new guidelines really push for healthy foods in schools. Should these proposed guidelines become firm rules, this would have a few possible knock-on effects for Signal Hill Elementary that are worth knowing about: it would mean no more bake sales, for example, and our hot lunch program would probably no longer be possible in its current form (the guidelines prohibit hot dogs, for example).
Here’s the information. We encourage you to fill out the survey.
The Ministries of Health and Education are requesting PAC and DPAC feedback on proposed changes to the 2013 Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in B.C. Schools. Both Health and Education are seeking feedback on the proposed 2022 School Food Guidelines to help them identify challenges schools might face with implementation. They are very interested in hearing about any resources or tools you think would be useful in supporting schools with implementation.
The first set of Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools were published by the Ministries of Education and Health in 2005. These were updated in 2008, 2011 and 2013. With the release of Canada’s food guide in 2019, the Ministry of Health has drafted proposed 2022 Guidelines that reflect current national and provincial nutrition recommendations. They also reflect the findings of the 2020 school administrator survey on implementation challenges with the 2013 Guidelines.
We are encouraging ALL PACs to provide feedback AFTER they review of the Proposed 2022 Guidelines (https://healthyschoolsbc.ca/…/BC-School-Food-Guidelines…) AND the K-12 Discussion Paper (https://healthyschoolsbc.ca/…/SFG-Discussion-Paper_EDUC…) outlining the Ministry’s rationale for the proposed 2022 Guidelines.
Survey takes 10min or less and is open until April 30.
Signal Hill Elementary | Parent Advisory Council 