June 01, 2006
An innovative pilot project to provide healthier options for vending machines in select Manitoba schools was launched today by Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald and Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson.
Manitoba Health is partnering with the Manitoba Council on School Nutrition to develop the project, which is scheduled to begin in the 2006-07 school year.
"We know that kids can be provided with better options," said Oswald. "For this pilot project, we will be working with the Manitoba Council on Child Nutrition and Quality Vending to find new healthy products and provide machines for the demonstration sites."
Oswald, Bjornson and students at West Kildonan Collegiate taste-tested a variety of healthy-food options for vending machines. The opinions of the students will guide which healthy snacks will be available in vending machines in participating schools.
To date, schools that have agreed to take part in the pilot project include:
Grand Rapids School in Grand Rapids – a Kindergarten to Senior 4 school with 300 students.
Hamiota Collegiate in Hamiota - a Grade 7 to Senior 4 school with 163 students. This school has purchased its own vending machine for the demonstration project.
Bernie Wolfe Community School in Winnipeg - a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school with 470 students.
Manitoba School for the Deaf in Winnipeg - a Kindergarten to Senior 4 school with 100 students.
West Kildonan Collegiate in Winnipeg – a Senior 1 to 4 school with 800 students.
Westdale Junior High in Winnipeg – a Grade 7 to Senior 1 school with 350 students.
Steinbach Junior High in Steinbach – a Grade 7 to Senior 1 school with 570 students.
Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation – a nursery to Senior 4 school with 1,000 students.
Neelin High School in Brandon – a Senior 1 to 4 school with 475 students.
Vincent Massey High School in Brandon – a Senior 1 to 4 school with 950 students.
Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon - a Senior 1 to 4 school with 1,100 students.
"Research tells us that good nutrition is an important part of learning and some schools have already taken steps to offer more nutritious options," said Bjornson. "Having healthy products and beverages for sale in school vending machines promotes good food choices and will help students establish healthy eating habits for a lifetime."
"In June 2005, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force recommended that government increase access to nutritious foods in schools," said Oswald. "This pilot project is an innovative way to make this possible and give youth nutritious food options for school."
For more information on nutrition in schools, visit: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyschools/issues/nutrition.html.
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