May 6, 2013
ONTARIO FARM TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE IS OFFERING STUDENTS HEALTHY AND LOCAL ALTERNATIVES
Across Ontario, schools are being challenged to connect students of all ages with fresh, locally grown foods bringing the ‘farm’ to their cafeterias, student nutrition programs, hospitality and culinary arts programs and special events.
On May 1, 2013 FoodShare Toronto and Sustain Ontario, with support from the Greenbelt Fund, launched the Ontario Farm To School Challenge, which encourages Ontario schools to increase local food in school food programs.
By participating in the Ontario Farm to School Challenge and choosing to buy Ontario products schools will:
- Help to support Ontario farmers and producers
- Educate students of all ages about the wonderful and good things that grow in Ontario
- Spread the word that Ontario produces heaps of good, healthy food that children and youth can enjoy all year long
- Benefit the environment
- And be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes for their school
Over the course of the Challenge, which runs from May 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013, organizers FoodShare Toronto and Sustain Ontario will offer educational materials and profile Ontario Farm to School Champions to help participating schools source local food from existing suppliers, find new suppliers, and inspire fun ideas for menu planning and student involvement.
To learn more about the Ontario Farm to School Challenge and how to get involved, please visit the website at Ontariofresh.ca/farmtoschool.
FoodShare Toronto
Contact: Meredith Hayes, Student Nutrition and School Program Senior Manager
Office: 90 Croatia Street, Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-803-7405 Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.foodshare.net
FoodShare Toronto is a non-profit community organization whose vision is Good Healthy Food for All. Founded in 1985 to address hunger in Toronto communities, FoodShare takes a unique multifaceted and long-term approach to hunger and food issues. We work to empower individuals, families and communities through food-based initiatives, while advocating for the broader public policies needed to ensure that everyone has adequate access to sustainably produced, good healthy food.
Sustain Ontario
Contact: Carolyn Young, Program Manager
Office: 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 365, Toronto, ON
Phone: 647-348-0235 email:[email protected]
Website: http://www.sustainontario.com
Sustain Ontario is the provincial alliance for healthy food and farming. Sustain Ontario’s more than 400 member organizations work collaboratively towards a food system that is healthy, ecological, equitable and financially viable. Sustain Ontario is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives Society.