Due to today's food environment, we are the first generation that is expected to live shorter and sicker lives than our parents. School is supposed to prepare us for life, not create a food environment that contributes to insulin resistance and future diseases. 

Who are we:

We are TDSB (Toronto District School Board) students (launching this initiative from West Humber CI) asking for equal access to nutritious food, and a school food environment that keeps students' health the priority. 

We are asking for 4 practical steps: TDSB should make sure no student is left hungry, make school food more transparent, remove sugary food and drinks from school premises, and to educate students about improving their health through food, so the risk of insulin resistance can be reduced.

 

Why this matters:

• In Toronto, 1 in 3 students (29%) (grades 7-12) are overweight/obese, and only 13% meet requirements for daily vegetable and fruit intake. This puts them in progress for severe metabolic health issues in the future.
• Since school is where students eat every day, what's provided at school directly affects their health. More ultra processed foods at school are linked to higher risks for insulin resistance, leading to higher rates of youth Type 2 diabetes. 

This isn't just about weight, it's about Insulin Resistance, which is a silent metabolic condition. If we don't fix this, our future will be full of:

• Type 2 Diabetes: A Canadian report mentions that from 2006-2008 to 2017-2019, diabetes has risen by 60% in youth in Canada.
• Further severe complicated diseases:  Such as strokes, heart diseases, fatty liver, blindness and kidney failures.
• Mental health issues: Bad metabolic health is linked to anxiety and depression

The ongoing injustice:

• Students can not learn while bearing an empty stomach, making them more likely to rely on unhealthy foods when available.
• A report on Student Nutrition Programs in Toronto mentions that many students from over 35 TDSB schools that were deemed eligible for nutrition program funding, were denied access to nutritious meals due to funding constraints. This leads them to rely on other sources of food, such as ultra processed, contributing to Insulin resistance.
• In a city as big and developed as Toronto, where thousands of students (disproportionately affecting low income and racialized), don’t have easy access to nutritious food, is a huge inequity. 

 This goes against the idea of the UN Convention on Rights of the Child (Article 24) which states that every child has a right to “the highest attainable standard of health”, and “the provision of adequate nutritious foods”. 

Issues with the current policy: 

Ontario has a school food policy for food and drinks sold at school called PPM 150, which looks strong, but:

• This policy is minimum standard and still allows 20% of “sell less” items such as ultra processed foods to be sold in schools, contributing to Insulin resistance.
• Students and families can’t easily and accessibly make sure and see what is actually being sold in schools, and see if it is actually compliant.

 

Our 4 requests to the TDSB:

1. No student should be left hungry: Tackle the funding constraints that denied 35+ eligible schools from nutrition programs. Create a plan with timelines to remove barriers to funding, and push funding partners for support, so that every school can run a healthy Student Nutrition Program, and reduce the risk of insulin resistance.
2. School Food Transparency Report: Make a simple report for every TDSB school  (cafeterias, snacks, vending machines), to see what is provided and if it aligns with PPM 150.
3. Be sugar aware: Make water the easiest choice to obtain, and remove sugar sweetened drinks and food from school properties.
4. Explain changes: When positive food changes are made, don't just change the food quietly, provide short educational explanations as to why this is beneficial. Students should be involved in managing their own health and be knowledgeable.

 

It's time to take action!

Let's move from “sick care” to “preventive care” to support learning and health, not just in hospitals, but in schools too. If you support healthier and more transparent school food, and are a student, parent, educator or health professional who truly cares, please sign and share! 

 

Show The TDSB Who Is Supporting This Petition: 
Please start your comment with your ROLE: --- your message
Role e.g : STUDENT / PARENT / TEACHER / HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 
Example: STUDENT --- “I support these 4 requests since they support health & education”
                 PARENT  --- "I want transparency because..."

 

Appendix (Evidence & References)