Submitted by Patricia Bertin, Dietitian, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit

Snacks provided to students must contain at least 2 food groups, from Canada's Food Guide, and one of those must be the Vegetables and Fruit group.  While it is difficult to ensure that students take 2 different food group snacks from a classroom snack bin, here are some suggestions to help:

• Post a sign or a note near the snack bins that encourages students to take one fruit and one other snack.
• Ask staff who are located near the snack bins (e.g. classroom teachers, office staff, etc.) to encourage students to take 2 food groups, including 1 fruit or vegetable.
• Spread the word - any time you are promoting your program to students (e.g. through morning announcements), remind them that a healthy snack includes one fruit or vegetable and one other food group.
• Provide 2 snack bins in each location; 1 bin containing only fruit and/or vegetable choices, and 1 containing other healthy snacks.  Encourage students to take one item from each bin.

Below is a list of food items local schools are currently offering through a Food for Learning snack program, listed by food group:

Vegetables & Fruit:

Apple Sauce

Fresh Fruit (pears, apples, bananas, etc.)

Fruit Cups

Fruit to Go

Juice Boxes (100% juice only)

Raisins

V8 Juice

Vegetables & dip

Grain Products:

Bagles

Baggies of Dry Cereal

Fig & Fruit Newtons

Graham Crackers

Granola Bars (not the chocolate covered ones!)

Kellogg's Nutrigrain Bars

Oatmeal to Go Bars

President's Choice Blue Label Ancient Grain Crackers

Multigrain Wheat Thins Crackers

Trail Mix (including dry cereal, pretzels, raisins, sunflower seeds)

Triscuit Crackers

Whole Wheat Soda Crackers

Milk and Alternatives

Cheese Strings

Yogurt cups

Yogurt tubes

Pudding cups