Bill 216
Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020
An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of food literacy
Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020
An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of food literacy
Bill 216, Food Literacy for Students, 2020 has passed its Second Reading in
the Ontario Legislature. The Bill currently awaits review by the Standing Committee in the
Legislative Assembly, before a final vote. If this Bill passes, it will change the Ontario
Education Act to include food education for all students from K-12.
Food literacy, including experiential or hands-on skills learned in gardens and kitchens, is critical for making healthy food choices that enable self-reliance and improve human health. Experiential food literacy and skills instruction in every grade starting in grade 1 will allow students to learn how to make healthier food choices that are critical to life-long health.
Requiring school boards to offer experiential food literacy education will equip Ontario students with essential life skills and the knowledge and confidence to grow, prepare and choose healthy food that will support positive health outcomes and help reduce health care costs.
The Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) endorses Bill 216 and advocates that qualified Family Studies Educators be closely involved in curriculum development and delivery of proposed food literacy.
Read OHEA's Letter of Support for Bill 216 (January 2022) here
Read OHEA's Letter of Support for Bill 216 (November 2021) here
Read OHEA’s Letter of Support for Bill 216 (November 2020) here
Read details of Bill 216 – Food Literacy for Students, 2020 here
Read the summary of a policy briefing note developed by Sustain Ontario
