Canada has become a fast food nation
Our society, childcares and lunchclubs are geared towards cheap and processed foods that lack nutritional value. Unfortunately, children are bearing the brunt of this unhealthy trend. Our kids' experience with food and nutrition has become limited to eating quick and unhealthy meals devoid of nutrients, experience or engagement. This leaves children little or no time to make connections with what they are putting in their bodies and where it is coming from. Ultimately, this approach to feeding our children has contributed to a rise in childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and behavioral issues in lunchclubs.
We know that the habits we form in childhood continue into our adult lives
Kids who develop an understanding and taste for local, natural and organic foods will continue to eat this real food as adults and they will be healthier as a result. This is the reason why the Real Food Education Program focuses on continuing to develop and provide a subsidized, applied food and nutrition education program to kids beginning as soon as kids are able to eat solid food.
Nutrition is a priority
Childcare providers and lunchclubs agree that nutrition is a priority, but one that is difficult to integrate into their curriculums and into their budgets. The Real Food Education Program recognizes these limitations and has partnered with several funders to provide childcares and lunchclubs with subsidized food and nutrition education. Through our caregiver and teacher partners and parent outreach the Real Food Education Program provides opportunities for children to experience food as more than just a meal. From daily lunch note guides and real food challenges to kid chef workshops to adventures in outdoor gardening, these programs inspire children to ask questions about the origin of food and to make their own healthier food choices every day.
Custom School Age Education Programming
RFRK not only provides our unique program to childcare community of kids, caregivers and parents but NOW extends the learning into lunchclubs. Kids graduate from childcare to lunchclub and the learning continues with our custom School Age Education Programming.
How Real Food Education programs benefit childcares and lunchclubs
- Programs instill positive perceptions of food and healthy lifestyles at an early age while children are developing their tastes and lifelong eating habits
- Work together with childcare & lunchclub parents to help develop positive attitudes about healthy food
- Provide children with hands-on, healthy food workshops
- Provide children with market fieldtrips, connecting them to the life-cycle of food
- Provide caregivers with much needed nutrition education, resources and tools to implement a viable nutrition program within the current structure of their childcare
- Provide on-going support for caregivers in the implementation of workshops developed by The Real Food Education Program
- Give kids a head-start before they get to lunchclub by providing nutrition workshops that are integrated with math, science and literacy skills