Q. There is a lot of sugar in fruit juices. Are they still sold or served in schools?
As per the new Canada Food Guide, water should be offered as the beverage for hydration.
100 per cent fruit juices typically have high levels of natural sugar, and vegetable juices may have high levels of sodium. All sugars in food and drinks contain the same amount of calories, whether they are added sugars or naturally occurring sugars. Drinking juice tends to replace the intake of other healthy foods and beverages. While CBE follows provincial nutrition guidelines, the recommendation would be to eat whole fruits and vegetables as they provide fibre, nutrients, and minerals.
Q. CBE allows chocolate milk. What information was used to make this decision?
Flavoured milk, flavoured fortified soy beverages and flavoured yogurt do contain added sugar and may have a sodium content of more than 200 mg per serving. According to the
Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (ANGCY), many of these options are considered a “Choose Sometimes” food. However, these products still provide the same important bone-building nutrients as the regular, unsweetened versions and can still be a healthy lifestyle choice when served as part of a balanced meal. Always check the nutrition facts label for the best product options.
Q. A little treat from a teacher is not a big deal. Why is it part of the nutrition regulation?
Recognition in the form of non-food items is recommended. Some examples of non-food rewards are stickers, pencils, bookmarks, balls, or special privileges such as being a helper. Recognition certificates also let students know they have done a great job. Rewarding children with treats could contradict the healthy eating lessons taught in the classroom. Consideration should also be given to parental discretion for their child’s diet, in addition to priority allergens and cultural and dietary restrictions.
^
Q. I am a member of the School Council, and each month we sponsor a Once a Month Fun Lunch Fundraiser Day at our school. Does Administrative Regulation 3047- Nutrition cover the food we serve to our students?
AR 3047 only covers foods and beverages served or sold by CBE staff or CBE contracted foodservice providers to CBE students on school property. However, School Council groups are encouraged to collaborate with the school’s principal to provide healthy food options that align with nutrition guidelines, providing consistent messaging to students around healthy food choices.
^
Q. I am a teacher organizing a fundraiser, and we are thinking of selling Donuts to our students and staff. Would Administrative Regulations 3047 - Nutrition still apply to this?
AR 3047 applies to any fundraising organized by CBE staff where food items are sold to CBE students. Donuts would not meet the “Choose Most Often” or “Choose Sometimes” criteria of the regulation. Please refer to the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth for the definitions of “Choose Most Often” and “Choose Sometimes.”
For additional information and ideas see
Healthy School Fundraising from Alberta Health Services.
^
Q. As a parent, do I have to pack items in my child’s lunch that comply with Administrative Regulation 3047 - Nutrition?
The revised Administration Regulation does not apply to lunch or snacks provided by a parent for their child. The revised Administration Regulation 3047 only covers foods and beverages that are served or sold by CBE staff or CBE contracted food service providers located inside the school to CBE students.
^
Q. Does Administrative Regulation 3047 - Nutrition apply to Sports Days or Once a Month Fun Lunch Fundraiser Days organized by school staff?
AR 3047 applies to these events as food would be provided by CBE staff or CBE contracted foodservice providers. Food and beverages would have to be selected that meet criteria from the “Choose Most often” or ”Choose Sometimes” categories according to grade level as defined by the
Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth.
For additional information and ideas see
Healthy School Fundraising from Alberta Health Services.
^
Q. I belong to a Parent Band Association, and we do our annual fundraiser where students sell prepackaged food products to the community. Are we allowed to do this?
Yes, this is allowed, as the items are not being sold to CBE students by CBE staff and this is a Parent run fundraiser.
For additional information and ideas see
Healthy School Fundraising from Alberta Health Services.
^
Q. I am a CBE junior high teacher and have a pizza party at the end of the basketball season. Would Administrative Regulations 3047 - Nutrition apply to my year-end celebration?
Yes, AR 3047 would apply. As a CBE staff member serving food to CBE students, foods and beverages would have to be selected that meet the criteria from the "Choose Most often" or "Choose Sometimes" categories as defined by the
Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth.
^
Q. I am a student, and we fundraise for clubs, councils and events by selling chips to other students. Does Administrative Regulation 3047 - Nutrition apply to this?
As this is a school-sponsored sale under teacher guidance, AR 3047 still applies. Chips and similar products typically do not meet the "Choose Most Often" or "Choose Sometimes" criteria, usually falling in the “Choose Least Often” category. Please reference the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youthfor further information.
^
Q. As a student, if I leave the school campus and purchase food for my lunch, does it have to comply with Administrative Regulation 3047 - Nutrition?
AR 3047 does not apply to lunch or snacks provided by a parent for their child. AR 3047 only covers foods and beverages served or sold by CBE staff or CBE contracted foodservice providers. However, students are still encouraged to make healthy choices from the "Choose Most often" or "Choose Sometimes" categories as defined by the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth.
^
Q. In the past, parents would sometimes send cupcakes to class celebrate their child’s birthday. Why is this no longer a practice?
There are several reasons why schools have moved away from this practice. A couple of the main ones are, there are now 10 Priority Allergens, as well as dietary restrictions (due to medical, cultural and religious beliefs), which means some students may not be able to partake. There are many ways to acknowledge and celebrate students’ birthdays, which may be more inclusive.
^
