School Food and Beverage Policy

School Food and Beverage Policy


Starting officially in September of 2011, every school in Ontario
will have guidelines to follow with respect to the food that
can be served on school premises.


  • All of the products, in all school venues, must meet with 80/20 rule, which means that 80 % of the products (food and beverages) are the healthiest options (Sell Most) and generally have higher levels of essential nutrients and lower amounts of fat, sugar and/or sodium (Sell Least).  Twenty percent may have slightly higher amounts of the aforementioned ingredients.
  • If there are fewer than 5 choices, all products must meet the Sell Most criteria.
  • Food and beverages must be assessed separately.
  • There are foods that will no longer be available for sale on school premises.  These contain few or no essential nutrients and/or contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and/or sodium (e.g. deep-fried and other fried foods, confectionary).
Is my food healthy?  Check out this tool to help me decide.

When your school is ready, submit a Pledge and get recognized by the Ministry of Education.

For more detailed information please visit www.ontario.ca/healthyschools
or contact a registered dietitian at EatRight Ontario: www.ontario.ca/eatright
toll-free 1-877-510-5012.

Keeping Schools Healthy

Why eat healthy food?

Healthy eating is good for your mindand your body.  Eating fresh, healthy food helps you learn better, byimproving your concentration and your memory, and it helps you maintain ahealthy weight.

Healthy food for healthy schools:

Learn how schools are providing healthier options and dropping trans fat in food and beverages sold in schools at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/healthier.html.

Other healthy eating resources:

Find more ideas on healthy eating, plus recipes and tips, at www.ontario.ca/eatright.

Learn more about healthy eating and active living at the Ministry of Health Promotion at www.mhp.gov.on.ca.

Pick Ontario freshness. Learn more about fresh Ontario food at Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/pickontario/.