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Fall 2005 |
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H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n
Nutrition first
mantra of Kids Eat Smart
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Submitted Photo |
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Dr. Susan King enjoys a morning
smile and orange juice with Andrew Richards at the
Buckmasters Circle Community Center in this November 20, 2003
file photo. |
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A nutritious start to the
school day makes a difference that lasts a lifetime. Kids Eat Smart
Foundation helps kids learn, grow and be their best.
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Submitted Article |
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A nutritious start to the school day
makes a difference that lasts a lifetime. Kids Eat Smart Foundation
helps kids learn, grow and be their best.
People are starting to pay attention: news
of childhood obesity, incidence of type 2 diabetes, anorexia nervosa and
other child nutrition issues triggered a response that will, hopefully,
translate into an improved culture of nutrition for children.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, 77 per cent
of children are bused to school. That usually means they do not go home
for lunch. If they have money to pay for it, there is often food
available for sale in school, but it may not be nutritious. It is
encouraging that the Eastern School District has a new nutrition policy
that hopes to see the phase out of soft drinks and deep fried food in
schools over a two-year period.
On the not for pay side of the
nutritional coin, Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador is
the only province-wide organization that supports nutrition programs for
school-aged children. Nutrition first is the mantra, and volunteers
receive information on how to plan and prepare foods that will support
child wellness.
This year the Foundation is anticipating
increased demand not only because of growing nutritional awareness, but
also because of economic realities faced by many families in the
province. The situation with the crab fishery had a tremendous impact on
plant workers, labor disputes, potential closures, the price of gas, and
other economic factors mean that for many families the food budget does
not stretch to include the more nutritious and the more costly foods
like milk and milk products, fresh fruit and vegetables.
In 2004-2005, the Foundation supported 159
programs, with more than 16,000 kids participating. On any given school
day, Kids Eat Smart kids consumed 4,000 litres of milk, more than 1,000
boxes of cereal, more than 1,000 loaves of bread as well as fruit,
cheese, yogurt and other foods that are part of Kids Eat Smart
nutrition programs.
These programs run because they have the
support of the local community people work together and give of what
they have. Parents, grandparents, service club members, teachers and
others donate their time to prepare the meals, but the sheer number of
kids participating means tremendous overall food cost. Local stores,
supermarkets and businesses give their support through donations or
best-pricing, but to ensure that all children in this province have
access to adequate, nutritious food they need to grow, to learn and to
thrive, support from the larger community is needed. The cost is
reasonable $15 will cover the costs associated with a month of
breakfasts for one child.
Academically, physically and socially, the
bottom line is that breakfast programs start the school day off right
and the benefits last a lifetime. Your support makes a difference.
Though most programs are breakfast, the
Foundation also supports snack (recess, or homework havens), and lunch
programs. Kids Eat Smart Sustaining Partners include the Department of
Human Resources and Labor, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,
Petro-Canada, and national affiliate Breakfast for Learning. Kids Eat
Smart Foundation is also supported by community and supporting partners,
and public donations. To donate, call 1 (877) 722-1996 or visit
www.kidseatsmart.ca.
Charitable receipts issued.
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