Put down that cookie and pick up an apple!
Metro Green Apple School Program donated $1,000 to 500 schools across Ontario, this year. Parent volunteer, Sheri Doyle applied for the grant and Maple Grove Public School on Grove Street was given the money to be used to foster healthy eating habits at an early age.
Teacher Nancy Mcdonough says they targeted the grade three population because "by then, they are old enough to make some of their own choices and make their own lunch."
Most of the money went to fresh fruit, produce, meat, meat alternatives, snacks.
"In June, we fed 100 children for four days. We set everything up in the hall so the entire school could see the healthy choices set out in an attractive way. We had each child make their own lunch for two days and put them in re-useable containers. That gave them a chance to try different things."
Over six years, the Metro Green Apple School Program has supported the establishment and completion of hundreds of local school projects including breakfast clubs, school gardens, nutrition counselling programs and cooking workshops.
They give out annual grants to both elementary and high schools to encourage healthy eating habits.
Mcdonough says they also gave the kids information about the Canada Food Guide.
"I think most of them were shocked at how many fruits and vegetables they are supposed to eat in a day."
The main takeaway was to encourage the students to choose more fresh and less processed food.
"No student can learn if they are hungry and I don't think you'd find any teacher making a child wait for recess to eat a snack if they're hungry. That just doesn't happen anymore," explained Mcdonough.
The school already has plans to apply for a grant again next year.
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