Local School Bites into Healthy Eating During the “Great Big Crunch”

Written by admin, March 10, 2016

March 9, 2016 –  Edmison Heights Students Celebrate Healthy, Local Food During Nutrition Month

Today, Edmison Heights Public School students in grades 3-6 crunched down on Ontario Empire apples at 2:30 p.m. in synch with hundreds of thousands of students across the nation.
The Great Big Crunch is a synchronized bite into locally grown apples. “It’s a great way to celebrate our commitment to a healthy school,” says Glen Payne, Principal at the school.  “Our school community of students, parents and staff have shown a remarkable dedication to healthy eating through their support of healthy fundraising activities, in-class lessons, and our breakfast program,” says Payne.

“March is Nutrition Month, which is a great time to celebrate making the healthy choice, the easy choice,” says Luisa Magalhaes, Registered Dietitian with Peterborough Public Health. “Students can more easily put into practice what they learn in class when fundraisers, class celebrations and Student Nutrition Program meals all reinforce the same healthy eating message.”

Today’s event was organized by the school’s Breakfast Program.  Angela Fuchs, Food for Kids Peterborough and County Student Nutrition Program Coordinator, was on hand for the festivities. “Local food is so important to our programs,” says Fuchs. “It is good for our families and our farmers, uses less fuel to get to us, and tastes great. The Great Big Crunch is another way to teach students that local food benefits everyone.”

In 2015, more than 1200 local volunteers served almost 2.4 million breakfasts and snacks to hungry students.  This year, Peterborough and County breakfast programs received a bi-weekly delivery of Ontario apples, cucumbers, carrots and cheese, made possible through generous donations and grants awarded to Food for Kids. 

For more info: www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/ffk or #greatbigcrunch.

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For further information, please contact:

Luisa Magalhaes, MHSc, RD

Public Health Nutritionist

(705) 743-1000, ext. 233


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