Serve It Up! was developed for teachers in secondary schools that include food preparation as part of the instructional program. However, teachers and parents who are involved in food preparation for school-related events at any school may also find Serve It Up! to be a handy resource. The recipes included here comply with the nutrition standards in Ontario’s School Food and Beverage Policy1 and can be offered for sale in schools. Overview of the School Food and Beverage Policy Nutrition Standards All food and beverages offered for sale in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and secondary schools for school purposes must comply with the Trans Fat Standards Regulation and the requirements set out in the School Food and Beverage Policy (www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/ healthyschools/policy.html), including the nutrition standards.
The nutrition standards embody the principles of healthy eating outlined in Canada’s Food Guide (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php) and are intended to ensure that the food and beverages sold in schools contribute to students’ healthy growth and development. Separate nutrition standards for food and for beverages are defined in the School Food and Beverage Policy. Nutrition standards for food are divided into six main groups (the first four groups are based on the food groups in Canada’s Food Guide): • Vegetables and Fruit • Grain Products • Milk and Alternatives • Meat and Alternatives • Mixed Dishes • Miscellaneous Items
