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.