From field to table

CAMPBELLTON -

Greenwood Academy was one of 10 schools selected to host a provincial Nutrition Month initiative on March 16.

Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture and School Milk Foundation teamed up to celebrate Nutrition Month on March 15 -16 within the provinces schools.

The initiative was called "Rooting For Health", as part of the Nutrition Month theme "Celebrate food... from field to table."

Dietician and Kids Eat Smart coordinator Amanda Burton was at the school March 16 to present nutrition tips and facts to children, with a visit from local farmers Philip and Rhonda Thornley to provide students with facts on the process of growing and distributing the fruits and vegetables they supply.

"It really relates to getting back to the roots of how people eat," said Ms. Burton. "Right now people are more inclined to eat convenience food and fast food. It's looking at where our food comes from, where it is grown in Canada and especially where our food in Newfoundland comes from.

"The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture were talking with the farmers in the province and basically the farmers who were in proximity to schools were the ones that we went with. So that is how we got Rhonda and Philip on board and they were really eager to do it."

Kids Eat Smart served breakfast, with help from parent volunteers and local raspberries provided by Philip and Rhonda Thornley of the Campbellton U-Pick farm. The School Milk Foundation provided the milk and Lewisporte MHA Wade Verge and Nova Central School District senior administrative officer of corporate services Heather Hillier passed out placemats to all students from the foundation.

However, Greenwood Academy isn't new to breakfast programs, as the school supplies each child with the opportunity of having a breakfast every morning before classes, courtesy of the schools very own breakfast cart.

"We put cereal bars and cheese and crackers on the cart and most students avail of the breakfast program," said Greenwood Academy principal Ellis Pope. "We also have wonderful community support. Parents come in and take turns to distribute the breakfast program on a regular basis."

Mr. Pope said the Breakfast Program is made available through funding from the Kids Eat Smart Foundation and also through donations from local businesses and parents. For students to participate in an initiative like the "Rooting For Health" presentations, Mr. Pope said it gives students a different perspective on eating a healthy breakfast.

"It's just great to be chosen to present something like this to our students and having the cooperation from the local U-pick farm bringing in raspberries for the breakfast," he said. "We have had blueberries in their cereal and pancakes before, but we have never had raspberries available to them."

In his 19 years of teaching, Mr. Pope said he knows from experience that a healthy breakfast is a great start for every student and has seen the difference it can make first-hand.

"The breakfast program is not just for the students that can't afford to have a breakfast or is unable to have breakfast," he said. "The program is for all students. Some students get up in the morning and while rushing to the door don't have a big breakfast. So we are assuring that something healthy is here for them to get them through the morning portion of their classes."

Ms. Burton said there are numerous factors why breakfast helps a child in their school activities including, academically, physically, psychologically and socially.

"One of the biggest things is benefits academically," she said. "And principals all over the province will be the first to tell you from testimonials that children concentrate more in class and have better grades if they have a well-balanced breakfast. Also, coming in and having a breakfast with their peers is a great way to socially start their day.

"So having a well-balanced breakfast and teaching children early on to have a breakfast and the healthy way to do it, that's important in helping to prevent obesity, chronic disease and maintain a healthy lifestyle."