Original content from the Canadian Nutrition Society

​Following productive discussions that occurred during the CNS Webinar entitled "Food Literacy: A Competency Progression Framework for Children & Youth" with Dr. Joyce Slater, a new "Food Literacy Progression for Children and Youth from 2-18 Years has recently launched!
The Food Literacy Progression provides an organizational framework for food literacy development from ages 2-18 years. The Progression is a tool that can be used to support food education by demonstrating the importance and range of food-related capabilities in human development and the progression of knowledge, skills and attitudes required to become food literate. The Progression can be used in school and community settings by educators to plan, implement and evaluate food literacy programs, and advocate for resources.
 
The Food Literacy Progression is available as a 12-page downloadable document on the FANLit website in the Seeds of Learning area. There is also a version that can be viewed online. Find more information on the Progression in the latest FANlit blog.
 
You can also find many excellent food literacy teaching resources on the FANLit website.

Original post from The Toronto Star.

School meals and food literacy — our knowledge and skills regarding food — are not partisan issues. We’re counting on all parties to act together.
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By Peggy O’Neil and Alicia Martin (Contributors)

All four of Ontario’s main political parties are showing leadership when it comes to school food and “food literacy” — our knowledge and skills in relation to food.

This is timely, since the federal government recently committed $1 billion over five years to developing a national program for nutritious meals in schools. And since 2020, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government has worked to integrate food literacy into the province’s school system.

As researchers who study the impacts of school food programs and food literacy, we are excited about this momentum. Food literacy provides young people with tools to actualize their health and well-being and to participate in food systems. Access to nutritious food supports the well-being of children and youth, and helps make sure they are ready to learn.

In October 2020, PC MPP Daryl Kramp gained wide support for introducing Bill 216, the Food Literacy for Students Act, which proposed making “hands-on skills learned in kitchens and gardens” a requirement from grades 1-12. While the bill sailed through first and second readings, further readings stopped when the government was prorogued in September 2021.

Nonetheless, Kramp and the ministry of education ensured food literacy was incorporated into the revised science and technology curriculum for grades 1-8 and the new Grade 9 science course, and have spoken about their commitment to reintroducing Bill 216.

On May 26, Sustain Ontario, Brescia University College and the Coalition for Healthy School Food hosted an all-party forum on school food and food literacy. We asked candidates how they would: advance food literacy as mandatory for grades 1-12; strengthen the conditions for experiential food literacy education; address Ontario’s annual investment in the Student Nutrition Program to accommodate rising food costs and greater demand; and work with the federal government on a national, universal healthy school food program.

We were pleased to be joined by candidates from Ontario’s Green, Liberal and NDP parties. All were enthusiastic about the topic and emphasized that school meals and food literacy are issues that cross party lines. The candidates spoke to the need for more education about food and healthy eating, and the necessity of teacher training and funding for infrastructure. They also spoke about the valuable school food and food literacy programs in their ridings.
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In their party platform, the Greens have committed to “enhanced curriculum content on critical environmental topics such as food literacy and climate change” and to “implement a province-wide nutritious school lunch program.” The Liberals have committed to “providing a free Ontario-grown breakfast for every K-12 student who needs one by expanding the Student Nutrition Program.” The NDP platform makes commitments to invest in and support the broader school system, especially the environment.

As Victor Hugo once wrote, nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come. We believe the time has come for ideas about school food and food literacy. We are counting on all parties to act together for the health and well-being of our students, and for Ontarians to consider these important issues during the upcoming election.

Peggy O’Neil is an assistant professor of food, leadership and social change at Brescia University College. Alicia Martin is a PhD candidate in geography at the University of Guelph.

Original blog post from Rosie Schwartz, RD

​Where is food literacy headed for the students of Ontario?
We almost had it – legislation to teach critical life skills to Ontario students. Bill 216 – Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 was to include the following:

“The Education Act is amended to provide that curriculum guidelines shall require that courses of study be developed in experiential food literacy education and healthy eating for every grade from grade 1 through grade 12.“
In order to obtain their high school diplomas, students needed to learn about all aspects of food – from health and nutrition and food preparation skills but also about sustainable food systems, food production, food security and food safety.

Bill 216 had unanimously passed second reading and, with its overwhelming support, seemed to be on its way to its final reading and Royal Assent. But then the premier prorogued the legislature in September 2021 which meant the bill had to be re-introduced and started again from scratch. A lot of work had already gone into developing a draft curriculum and as a result, was supposed to be re-introduced in February, 2022.

But since the legislation wasn’t about cars and highways and actually promotes saving farmland, our government just didn’t get around to it. In March of this year, they did, however, include some changes to the science curriculum in various grades and while it was a start, it came nowhere near what Bill 216 would have accomplished.

The Ontario Coalition for Healthy School Food, which involves national and provincial health, education, and indigenous organizations including the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of food and nutrition programs and food literacy education in Ontario schools.

In a press release, OHEA states,
“Connecting children and youth with healthy food, through school meals and education, has tremendous potential to improve the future of our province. Studies show that children and youth learn better when they are well-nourished and not hungry. Providing healthy and culturally appropriate food in school programs and teaching about growing, selecting, preparing, eating, and valuing food can play a critical role in promoting health and reducing chronic disease while strengthening Ontario’s economy and supporting the agri-food sector.”

Next week on June 2, the people of Ontario go to the polls. And we need our candidates to speak up and make a commitment to the youth of Ontario.
So what do the different political parties think about these issues?

Together with Sustain Ontario, another province-wide, cross-sectoral alliance that has also been actively involved in promoting healthy food and farming, the Ontario Coalition for Healthy School Food and Brescia University College, they are providing an opportunity to find out at a virtual all-party event which will be live-streamed on Facebook. If you can’t watch it live, it will be available for viewing afterwards.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 26th at 12 noon – 1 p.m. ET. The party leaders have appointed the following candidates as representatives.
• Matt Richter, Green Party of Ontario, Parry Sound-Muskoka | 12 – 12:15 p.m.
• Amanda Pulker-Mok, Ontario Liberal Party, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston | 12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
• Terence Kernaghan, Ontario New Democratic Party, London North Centre | 12:30 – 12:45 p.m.
• TBD, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | 12:45-1 p.m.
Candidates will answer the following four questions, provided to them in advance — If elected, what will you do to…

1. Advance food literacy as a mandatory part of the school curriculum for grades 1-12?
2. Strengthen the conditions for experiential food literacy education in Ontario schools?
3. Address Ontario’s annual investment in the Student Nutrition Program to accommodate rising food costs coupled with greater demand?
4. Work with the federal government on a national, universal healthy school food program?
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In our last election, about 57% of eligible voters cast a ballot. Our youth deserve better this time around. Watch the event and if you haven’t already cast your ballot, #VoteONFood.

Where is food literacy headed for the students of Ontario? Read registered dietitian, Rosie Swartz's blog post here.

If elected, what will the parties do to support food literacy and healthy school food programs?

Sustain Ontario invites you to join a virtual all-party event on Thursday, May 26th from 12 noon to 1 p.m. ET to hear from the following candidates that party leaders have appointed as representatives:


Matt Richter, Green Party of Ontario, Parry Sound-Muskoka | 12 – 12:15 p.m.
Amanda Pulker-Mok, Ontario Liberal Party, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston | 12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
Terence Kernaghan, Ontario New Democratic Party, London North Centre | 12:30 – 12:45 p.m.
TBD, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | 12:45-1 p.m.

The event will be live-streamed on Facebook and available for viewing afterward. It will be moderated by Dr. Peggy O’Neil of Brescia University College.
Candidates will answer the following four questions, provided to them in advance — If elected, what will you do to…

1. Advance food literacy as a mandatory part of the school curriculum for grades 1-12?
2. Strengthen the conditions for experiential food literacy education in Ontario schools?
3. Address Ontario’s annual investment in the Student Nutrition Program to accommodate rising food costs coupled with greater demand?
4. Work with the federal government on a national, universal healthy school food program?
   ​

With the recent successes in food literacy and school food, it is a crucial time to continue building momentum for this important movement. We hope you’ll join us in shining the light on the urgency of advancing healthy school food and food literacy in Ontario and Canada!
To learn more about why we need healthy food and food literacy in Ontario schools, visit Sustain Ontario's 2022 #VoteONFood campaign here.

This event is hosted by Sustain Ontario, the Coalition for Healthy School Food and Brescia University College.

Great news, OHEA Members! Sustain Ontario is hiring for the joint position of Food Literacy Project Coordinator and Ontario Coalition for Healthy School Food Chapter Coordinator! 
 
This is a contract for a full-time position from mid-May, 2022 to March 31, 2023 with the potential for extension. 

This is a wonderful position for Home Economists who have an interest in food literacy.

Applications are due Thursday, April 21st, 2022, at 5pm EST. Job posting details are available on the Sustain Ontario website.

Test Kitchens may be a thing of the past, but friendships made among Home Economists who worked in them have lasted for decades. Home Economists now are more informed and look to sustainability, farming, vulnerabilities and opportunities galore. The Home Economists like me, who worked in the Best Foods test kitchen, were about product promotion. That is not a bad thing and I can still make anything with a jar of Hellman's mayonnaise. 


My first test kitchen friend, Jane Carman, worked for Standard Brands in Montreal, and now Margaret Macdonald, whom I met just three years ago, worked for Manitoba Hydro. Strong women, women of science. We understand the losses we are facing in Home Economics. Let me plug in for our new Professional Practice Course soon to be launched. You ought to follow it; Sue McGregor, who wrote about the Home Ec ring, also read it — who knew? And the link here to Betty Crocker — my friend Ellie Topp told me she had a job offer there. 

OHEA is pleased to introduce Cindy Christensen, Provisional Member to the Association. Welcome, Cindy!

As part of celebrating World Home Economics Day on March 21, 2022, we 
had the privilege to interview our very own Margaret Dickenson, a renowned author and award-winning Professional Home Economist. Read on to learn more about Margaret's journey and her remarkable career in home economics.

What does home economics mean to you?

Many may have their own perception of the term home economics. As for myself, it encompasses skills to equip one in creating a balanced, healthy, stable, and satisfying home/family life. This includes the ability to cook, understanding the nutritional quality of food and their preparation, efficiently practicing the management of household tasks, time and schedules, finances, and having some basic knowledge of apparel and sewing, plus of course, a focus on child-rearing and maintaining a happy family life. However, when asked about my degree, I always also specify that I am a graduate of Foods and Nutrition.

What are you most proud of in your career in home economics?

Numerous career successes, stem from my solid, diverse, and practical studies in home economics - and certainly, a passion to do my best, as well as a strong work ethic. I have indeed been blessed with many proud moments in my career.

Winning the latest two prestigious international awards is an amazing and significant recognition. “From the Ambassador’s Table - Blueprint for Creative Entertaining” was honored as for being a historically first cookbook specifically providing the blueprints for creative entertaining. (i.e.,: Deciding on the choice of event, how to organize the event, dealing with invitations and excepting invitations, designing appealing menus, working out seating plans, how to set a table, service of food and beverages, table manners and of course, a full repertoire of tantalizing recipes including hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, soups, salads, palate cleansers, main courses, accompaniments, desserts, finishing touches/chocolates and basic recipes.)

Also “Margaret‘s Table - Easy Cooking and Inspiring Entertaining” received one of the very few special awards as a tribute to my expertise in entertaining. This was a remarkable international salute to my well-honed art in developing and practicing a very unique and personal style of successful and memorable entertaining.

There is a quote by Maya Angelou that I am especially fond of: “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”   When it comes to entertaining her words ring very true to me. I always want to “Wow” my guests and leave them enchanted with special memories long after the event.

No doubt, in addition to having had my own lifestyle and cooking TV series, seeing these cookbooks win a total of 11 international awards, I’m also particularly proud of having been named “Alumna of Honour 2011” for the University of Guelph.