The Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program is an unique program in Ontario that provides 2 servings of vegetables and/or fruit per week to students to try with their peers (JK to Grade 8). The program's main goal is to increase students' exposure to various vegetables and fruit, and food literacy. Exposure to new foods includes not only eating the food but being around the food or others enjoying the food. Research has shown that the more exposure children have to a variety of vegetables and fruits, the more likely they are to eat and enjoy those foods later in life (even if they dislike them now)!
The goal is accomplished through two components:
- From January to June, participating schools receive weekly deliveries of vegetables and fruits from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association.
- The program also provides schools with educational materials for use in the classroom as well as resources to send home to parents to assist our communities in building healthy habits. The educational materials and resources include:
- NFVP Activity Calendar: This includes vegetable and fruit fact sheets, recipes, and a calendar that provides corresponding educational activities with each week’s fruits and vegetables deliveries. Schools are encouraged to send a copy of this resource home to parents.
- NFVP Implementation Guide: This includes details on each educational activity recommended in the NFVP Activity Calendar. Also includes a sample/template for NFVP school newsletter.
Program Funds
Funds are provided to help schools administer the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program. These funds can be used to cover the cost of supplies, honorariums for program volunteers, and any costs related to the implementation of related educational resources. Here are a few ideas to help spend your implementation funds.
Sample Menu and Serving Sizes
Parent Newsletters
- February - Rise and Shine
- March - The Benefits of Sharing a Meal
- April - Mindful Eating
- May - Tips for Eating Out
NFVP Resources for Schools and Parents
Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program Supplementary Resources
Eating Well
BrightBites™
BrightBites™ is a program developed by Public Health Dietitians in Ontario. Schools register for an account and earn digital badges that focus on different topics related to improving the school food environment (e.g., school fundraising, food literacy, food served at special events). The idea is that “bite-sized” efforts can build momentum and lead to long-term results in improving school nutrition.
FreggieTM
The Freggie™ Children’s Program, developed by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), encourages consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables for better overall health. Program elements are designed to help children understand the benefits of making healthy food choices that include fresh vegetables and fruit. Schools can download the Freggie™ In-School Program in a ready-to-implement kit that will complement your school’s healthy living initiatives including Ontario’s PPM 150. The Freggie™ program also includes activities for children such as an interactive Write to Freggie™ program, Freggie Tales™ adventures, games, jokes, recipes and more at Freggie Tales™.
Ontario Physical Health & Education Association
The Ophea H&PE Curriculum resource for Grades 1-8 are available online to educators in both French and English through a password-protected site. You can receive your password by calling your school board office. They have ready-to-use lesson plans per grade, student templates and assessment tools. Or call the Timiskaming Health Unit.
Foodland Ontario: Kids Corner
Interactive play board for kids with fun food facts, brainteasers and recipes.
Veggie Mania
The Fresh Vegetable Growers of Ontario have an interactive site for kids along with activities, games and information to incorporate into lesson plans.
Canada’s Food Guide
Learn about Canada's food guides and how they can help you make healthy food choices. Also access history, labelling, advertising and copyright information for our guides. Includes Canada's Food Guide tailored to reflect traditions and food choices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. In addition, links to educator’s toolkit, meal planning tools and mobile app.
Physical Activity
Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines – Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
This resource outlines the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines and Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years (0 to 4 years), for Children (5 to 11 years), for Youth (12-17years) and for adults. Additional resources and information sheets are also available for download.
ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION aims to inspire Canadians to move more and to make it easier to do so. Their website provides a number of resources including campaign information, programs and initiatives, press releases, e-newsletters and webinars. Activity plans, sedentary guidelines and the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth are also available.
Ontario Physical Health & Education Association
The Ophea H&PE Curriculum resources for Grades 1-8 are available online to educators in both French and English through a password-protected site. You can receive your password by calling your school board office. They have ready-to-use lesson plans per grade, student templates and assessment tools. Or call the Timiskaming Health Unit.
Physical and Health Education Canada
Physical and Health Education Canada advocates for, and advances quality physical and health education programs offered in “Health Promoting Schools”. Support is available through a range of programs, resources and initiatives to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to lead physically active and healthy lives, now and in their future. Physical and Health Education Canada has also created many useful tools and resources to assist teachers, coaches and parents with the development of physical literacy and overall health in children.
http://www.phecanada.ca/programs/physical-literacy/information-parents/what-you-need-know
Active for Life
Activities promote physical literacy by including fun games that develop skills in running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, hopping, and more.
A series educator lesson plans are available to assist with teaching fundamental movement skills to children ages 0-12.
Resources for parents
Printable recipe for an active day, tracking sheet/activity log
Tracking sheet
20241018/cb:nd
