In September 2018, the School District created a new program to support and expand the great work being done in local schools to educate our children about where their food comes from, and empower them to make healthy food choices in their lives.
The Food Literacy Coordinator works with schools and the wider community to develop and implement a range of activities relating to the three pillars of school food literacy (as described by the Public Health Association of BC):
1. Teaching and Learning: Fostering Food Literacy
Teaching and learning activities are at the heart of a school’s efforts to develop food literate students that have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to choose, grow, prepare and enjoy food to support one’s health, community, and the environment. Opportunities to foster food literacy and develop food skills exist in the classroom across curriculum areas, and are strengthened by hands-on learning in gardens, kitchens, local farms and in the community. Programs, both during and outside of school, that teach healthy eating are complemented by efforts to build food skills such as cooking, label-reading, grocery shopping and growing food.
Here in Powell River, with our strong tradition of backyard vegetable growing and an expanding farming community, there is an emphasis on using school gardens and local farms as outdoor classrooms for creative, experiential learning. The Food Literacy Coordinator is currently working with schools to ensure all school gardens are thriving places where students and teachers can work alongside parents and other community members in a pleasant and rewarding environment.
2. Community Partnerships: Supporting Schools to Achieve Their Food Literacy Goals
These partnerships support schools in achieving their food literacy goals and provide opportunities for communities to be involved in supporting a comprehensive school health approach to food literacy at a local level. These partners may include community organizations, farmers, health professionals, municipalities, and others.
A local example is the relationship between the Food Literacy Program and local garden shop, Mother Nature. Not only does MN provide generous discounts on things like seeds and micro-green growing equipment for schools, they also consult with us on using these supplies as educational tools in gardens and classrooms. Another example is the educational partnership currently being developed between the Texada Food Hub and SD 47, which will result in a pilot program of food preservation workshops for Grades 3-7 students being offered in 2019.
3. Our School Policies: Creating Supportive School Food Policies
School food policies are developed at both the school and district level, and support healthy food environments, increase access to healthy food and support healthy eating and food literacy initiatives at school. Schools can work with all stakeholders across the school community, including students and parents, to create a whole school food policy that reinforces all other aspects of a comprehensive school health approach to food literacy by expressing a common vision encouraging all aspects of food to be brought together, clearly, coherently and consistently. School food policies can address the sale of unhealthy food, school garden policies, local procurement of fresh food, classroom celebrations and many other aspects of the school environment.
An example of this at the local level is collaboration between the Food Literacy Coordinator and Brooks High School students on a School Health Committee project to influence the food culture at the school, so that students have the knowledge and the options to make healthier choices. This will include surveying students as to the kinds of foods they’d like to see offered in vending machines and at the cafeteria, and working with the Culinary Arts program to develop some healthier lunch options.
“Food literacy is having the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to choose, grow, prepare and enjoy food to support one’s health, community, and the environment.” — Healthy Schools, BC
For more information or to share ideas, suggestions and questions, please contact Vanessa Sparrow, Food Literacy Coordinator at vanessa.sparrow@sd47.bc.ca or on 604.414.7437
A month by month guide for school gardening in Powell River is now available for you to use, just in time for the planting season. The guide provides you with indoor and outdoor food-growing related activities for every month of the school year, taking the guess-work and intimidation out of making the most of your school garden. Download as many copies as you need 
