An innovative nutrition policy that focuses on healthy eating choices for students has earned Red Deer Public Schools the Healthy School Communities Award. The award was presented by Dr. Raj Sherman, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness at a ceremony in Edmonton on Wednesday.

The Healthy Alberta School Community Award is designed to reward and celebrate individuals and partners who work together to achieve positive health outcomes for children and youth. Red Deer Public was recognized in the category of Champion Partnerships that demonstrate collaboration between education and other sectors that make commitments in support of healthy school communities.

        

The District promotes healthy eating through a policy that sets standards for the sale and distribution of food and beverages within the District. The Board of Trustees adopted this trend-setting course of action after consulting with parents, teachers, students, and community members at their town hall meeting in 2007.

Since approval of the policy, the District has been working with stakeholders to support its successful implementation.  At the school level, the policy has had an impact on items that will be available in vending machines and school cafeterias, food that are provided in lunch programs and use of food sales for fundraising purposes.

With increased concerns about the nutritional health of children, many other jurisdictions have indicated their interest in following Red Deer Public’s lead by adopting similar measures.

 

“Implementation of such a policy required committed leadership. Supporting a mandated nutrition policy takes an enormous leap of faith as very few school districts have done this. There are many unknowns and more questions than answers. Knowing this, the District still chose to pursue this goal as they truly value the health of their students, families and staff,” commented Jennifer Sundberg, Registered Dietician with Alberta Health Services who supported the nomination for the award.

Red Deer Public appreciates the tremendous support from Alberta Health Services, and Jennifer Sundberg in particular, who has provided valuable support and encouragement throughout the process.

Information on the policy, including the Standards for the Sale and Distribution of Food and Beverages in Red Deer Public Schools, is available by clicking here.