School Nutrition

Healthy Children

All children need good nutrition to grow and develop to their full potential. Children, like adults, naturally come in different body shapes and sizes; however a child who is overweight or obese should see their medical doctor for assessment and follow up.

Canada’s Food Guide

The 2019 Canada's Food Guide and a wealth of reliable nutrition information are available at Health Canada’s website

Implementing the School Nutrition Guidelines

Schools must apply the Guidelines to all food or beverages sold to students in British Columbia public schools and at all school-sanctioned events.
All public schools in BC are required to ensure that the food and beverages sold to students meet the criteria set out in the Guidelines.

School Nutrition Guidelines apply to all school-sanctioned events where food is sold, including:	School Nutrition Guidelines do not apply to:
School stores and tuck shops Vending machines Special lunches Bake Sales Fun Fairs, Carnivals and similar events Sports Days Food Trucks Anything sold as a fundraiser to students for their consumption, e.g. popcorn sales, treat days Food and beverages sold to students during events or on field trips (even when off campus) All Breakfast Clubs and Lunch Programs These Guidelines apply to everyone selling food to students, at all locations.	Lunches and snacks brought from home Food and beverages brought to school by parents that are not sold to students Food prepared by students as part of class projects and consumed by students without being purchased. Food and beverages sold to adults (not students) as fundraisers Fund-raising by adults to adults

School Nutrition Guidelines apply to all school-sanctioned events where food is sold, including:

School Nutrition Guidelines
do not apply to:

School stores and tuck shops
Vending machines
Special lunches
Bake Sales
Fun Fairs, Carnivals and similar events
Sports Days
Food Trucks
Anything sold as a fundraiser to students for their consumption, e.g. popcorn sales, treat days
Food and beverages sold to students during events or on field trips (even when off campus)
All Breakfast Clubs and Lunch Programs

These Guidelines apply to everyone selling food to students, at all locations.

Lunches and snacks brought from home
Food and beverages brought to school by parents that are not sold to students
Food prepared by students as part of class projects and consumed by students without being purchased.
Food and beverages sold to adults (not students) as fundraisers
Fund-raising by adults to adults

FOODS THAT CAN'T BE SOLD AT SCHOOL OR SCHOOL EVENTS

These foods do not meet the standards in the BC Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales and cannot be sold. This is not a complete list.

Candy, and other confections made of sugar like Cotton Candy, lollipops, etc.
Soft drinks, sports drinks and waters with added sugar
Fruit drinks that contain less than 100% fruit juice and have added sugar (fruit punches and cocktails)
Pastry, tarts, pies, doughnuts, sweet pastries and similar foods that are high in sugar and/or fat
Cookies and baked goods made with recipes that have not be adapted to reduce sugar and fat content.
Sugar-coated popcorn
Chocolates and chocolate bars
Fruit snacks made with added sugar
Gelatin desserts made with sugar
Processed cheese spread and processed cheese slices.
Fried Foods of any kind, including Fried Potato Chips, Fried French Fries, Fried Onion Rings,
Fried Desserts
Instant Noodle Soups
Pizza with high amounts of fat from oiled crusts, extra cheese and/or meat toppings
Extra salad dressing, mayonnaise or rich sauces
Very salty foods and ingredients like cured meats, pickles, soups, and foods sprinkled with added salt like potato chips and crackers.
Any foods or beverages that are "super-sized"

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