Comments on Weighty Matters: Hamilton Wentworth School Board to show the Provin...

Really glad to see the ban on food as rewards. It&...

2009-12-07T14:48:18.244-05:00

Really glad to see the ban on food as rewards. It's keep our kids healthy as they learn. Not to mention it seems very similar to training with dog treats, doesn't it? Hopefully this progressive stance will encourage other surrounding schools and school boards to take this matter seriously.

In my earlier comment about Nova Scotia being stre...

2009-11-20T06:02:49.192-05:00

In my earlier comment about Nova Scotia being streets ahead, I was mainly responding to Michelle's point that "In their survey I've asked them to be sure to tell all of Canada how they came this far in their policy development and to get some research funding to measure it's impacts so more schools can benefit from their complete nutrition wisdom." I was also being tongue-in-cheek about Ontario, but obviously some people have no sese of humour :)

I was disappointed that the policy doesn't spe...

2009-11-19T20:45:21.050-05:00

I was disappointed that the policy doesn't specify about pizza days. It is not made clear whether pizza is an "unhealthy" food or not. I know that the three schools within my experience as a teacher and a parent rely heavily on those pizza days for funding, to the tune of several hundreds and even thousands of dollars of profit every year, and that pizza days are weekly or even semi-weekly events.

Playing devils advocate... 1) Last stories I saw c...

2009-11-19T19:36:10.183-05:00

Playing devils advocate...
1) Last stories I saw cast doubt that calories on menus, mandatory in some cities, have had a significant effect on eating habits of most of the patrons.
2) 5 special food events like "pizza days"? Why is pizza particularly bad for you? Are most of the foods particularly "bad", or should people instead be focusing on *portion size*?
3) Fundraising should be in part focusing on business and sales, rather than preaching about food, shouldn't it? If the goal is to raise money for something unrelated to health and food, why force it down people's throats if must of what the public wants (and buys) is not necessarily "bad" for you (which goest back to question 2)?

It's great they're getting rid of fried foods and such, but what are people trying to teach? That it's okay to overindulge as long as it's all broccoli and celery? Or that the kids are bad if they want to have some cake or a slice of pizza once in awhile?

Nova Scotia may be well ahead. Last time I checke...

2009-11-19T17:38:49.432-05:00

Nova Scotia may be well ahead.

Last time I checked Hamilton Wentworth was in the Province of Ontario and perhaps that's why Dr. Freedhoff's title is that they're showing the Province how it's done.

Actually, Nova Scotia are streets ahead with their...

2009-11-19T17:10:53.210-05:00

Actually, Nova Scotia are streets ahead with their provincial School Food Policy that tackles many, if not all, of these issues - http://www.ednet.ns.ca/healthy_eating/

The policy was introduced with full consultation. There were concerns about some aspects, especially around the use of food in fundraisers and special events, but kudos to Nova Scotia for moving forward with this and being national leaders! It doesn't only happen in Ontario ;)

These folks have really got it! WOW! I would lov...

2009-11-19T15:50:28.736-05:00

These folks have really got it! WOW! I would love to hear how they developed this without total opposition from parents, teachers, and the kids! I know of people who have been trying for exactly this in our schools for a long time and have met with ongoing opposition.

People have been so indoctrinated by big business into thinking that junk food is everyday food that it's a wonder that the school board was able to get this far and go so completely 'right' in their policies.

Kudos to them! In their survey I've asked them to be sure to tell all of Canada how they came this far in their policy development and to get some research funding to measure it's impacts so more schools can benefit from their complete nutrition wisdom.

The naysayers will want proof that healthy eating is in fact, good for you!