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Nutrition in Schools Fact Sheet

February 8, 2021

  • Each school, in cooperation with the parent/guardian and the community, has an important role to play in the development of positive attitudes towards nutrition and lifelong healthy eating habits. Winnipeg School Division believes that all students need the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices for a lifetime. WSD believes that nutrition is vital to the mental and physical health of each student and his/her potential for learning. It is the belief of WSD that children who receive adequate nutrition demonstrate improved attendance, performance, attentiveness, increased energy and classroom participation.
  • As part of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 Physical Education/Health Education Manitoba curriculum, students learn about nutrition. Schools model healthy eating practices, and provide nutritionally appropriate food choices within a healthy school environment.
  • Winnipeg School Division established a Nutrition Program in 1975. The program provides a balanced breakfast and a nutritious snack for students who may come to school without adequate nourishment. Lack of nourishment is believed to be associated with: decreased potential to learn; chronic disease, reduced attention span; and behaviour problems.
  • The Nutrition Program involves 32 breakfast programs and 57 Nursery programs. All elementary schools receive an allocation for staff, food and supplies to provide a balanced breakfast for needy students. On some occasions, students are also provided lunch. Schools also have the ability to provide food for students on an emergency basis.
  • There are food coordinators working in 22 schools. They receive professional development twice a year to continue to build their capacity and skills. They are involved in selecting and testing new recipes annually, which reflect the multicultural diversity of our students. These recipes are found in The Nutrition Program Manual which was created in 2007 in collaboration with The Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.
  • Our school kitchens are monitored regularly to ensure they are well stocked with equipment, in proper condition, and reflect safe food handling.
  • A healthy snack is provided each day at school for all Nursery students and may be provided for kindergarten students as well. This Snack Program is intended to provide nutritionally acceptable snacks.
  • Numbers of students in the Nutrition Program fluctuate on a daily basis based as needed. On average, about 25,000 breakfasts and 2,400 lunches are served in WSD schools monthly.
  • WSD has 64 schools on the Milk Subsidy Program that offer milk to students for 25 cents per serving. This program is available to students in parent-run lunch programs in elementary schools and in supervised lunch programs in junior high schools.
  • Winnipeg School Division Policy IGAEA Nutrition is based on the Manitoba School Nutrition Handbook: Getting Started with Guidelines and Policies.

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