The goal of the program is to help reduce chronic diseases (i.e. heart disease, cancer) and food-borne illnesses. To meet this goal, cafeterias:

• Ensure a variety of healthier food choices (menu items and by request) including vegetables and fruit, lower fat options, and substitutions;
• Demonstrate an excellent track record in food safety;
• Have at least one certified safe food handler on staff.

Award of Excellence
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Health Action Windsor-Essex along with the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, provide an award for schools that achieve the Eat Smart! standards in nutrition and food safety and maintain a smoke-free environment.
The Eat Smart! Award of Excellence is renewed yearly.

Why is the program important?
Concerns about eating behaviours among youth include:

• Less than 40% of Canadian youth eat breakfast by grade 10;
• They make few vegetable, fruit, and whole grain choices;
• They make poor snack choices and substitute snacks for meals;
• Consumption of salt and fat is high, while intake of calcium and iron is low;
• Obesity, eating disorders, and fad dieting are putting the health of youth at risk.

(Reference: Eat Smart! School Program Manual, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Community and Health Promotion Branch, March 2001)

Certified Food Handler Training

All school cafeterias applying for an Eat Smart Award of Excellence must employ at least one Certified Food Handler. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Health Inspection Department offers a Food Safety Certification Course for Food Handlers, Supervisors and Managers.  Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate that is recognized by all Ontario health units.  For information about class schedules and cost, please contact the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Health Inspection Department at 519-258-2146 ext. 1450 or 1474, or click here for the workshop schedule.

Participating Schools

The following high schools are currently participating in the Eat Smart! School Cafeteria Program:

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board

• Assumption High School
• Cardinal Carter High School
• Catholic Central High School
• F.J. Brennan High School
• Holy Names High School
• St. Anne High School
• St. Joseph High School
• St. Thomas of Villanova High School

Greater Essex County District School Board

• General Amherst High School
• Harrow District High School
• Hon W.C. Kennedy Secondary School
• Leamington District Secondary School
• Riverside Secondary School
• Sandwich Secondary School
• Vincent Massey Secondary School
• W.F. Herman Secondary School

CSDECSO Secondary

• L'Essor

Interested in becoming an Eat Smart! school?  Talk to your Public Health Nurse; call 519-258-2146 x 1260, or fax the Eat Smart! registration form to 519-258-7288.