Vegetable & Fruit Snack Program

This program operated from fall 2008 until spring 2015. During the intervening 7 years we were fortunate to work with many schools, community places, and licensed childcare facilities to increase vegetable and fruit intake for children and youth. The Vegetable and Fruit Snack program was funded by the Province of Manitoba and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Take a look at our Vegetable and Fruit Program pamphlet for a colourful blast of information and ideas gleaned from the program. A handbook based on our experience during the Vegetable and Fruit program will be available soon for use in any child nutrition program.

Program Features

  • full funding for food items
  • initial grants for equipment and supplies
  • information resources, monthly newsletters, site visits, and other supports
  • workshops, program diaries, site visits with the Vegetable & Fruit Program Coordinator
  • participatory development of nutrition education resources and program evaluation

Program Impact

  • Students received a powerful message about the importance of healthy eating. In particular, the significance of increased vegetable and fruit consumption was emphasized through curriculum, activities, and practice.
  • Each site discovered their own way to deliver the program, creating diverse involvement opportunities for teachers, education assistants, students, parents and  community volunteers.
  • In addition to increased vegetable and fruit intake, Vegetable and Fruit programs had positive impacts on student behaviour and other indicators, such as attendance and social interaction.

As is so often the case with child nutrition programs, the Vegetable and Fruit Snack Program resulted in more than just a simple act of students eating healthier food. Students discovered new tastes and preferences, found out that many options existed for them, and became more willing to try new foods.

Phase A & B School Sites: 2008-2011

The program began in 2008 with 13 rural, northern, and urban schools and quickly expanded to include all of: Alonsa School, Berens River School, Bowsman School, Cormorant Lake School, Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, Garden Valley Collegiate, Glenway Colony School, Jameswood Alternative School, Lake St. Martin School, La Verendrye School, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate, Oak Lake Community School, Otetiskiwin Kiskinwamahtowekamik, Ralph Brown School, Riverton And District Friendship Centre, Rossburn Collegiate, Scott Bateman Middle School, Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early School, Sioux Valley High School, Victor H.L.Wyatt, Walter Whyte School, Wanipigow School, Waterhen School, Waywayseecappo Community School, Whitemouth School, Windy Bay Colony School

Phase C After-School Sites: to 2015

Bright Future, Brooklands Daycare, Cecil Rhodes School, Champlain Childcare, Dauphin School Age Day Care Inc., Discovery Children’s Centre, Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Gilbert Park Boys and Girls, Glad-West Recreation Commission, Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Centre, Keeping Balance, Lighthouse, Luxton Community Centre, Marigold Preschool Centre inc., Maybrook Childrens Centre, Minegoziibe Anishinabe School, Mulvey School, Munroe ECEC School Age Programs, OK Before and After, Oscar Blackburn School Portage Friendship Centre, PRRA Kids Club, Red Sucker Lake School, Riverside Daycare, Robertson Before & After, Selkirk Friendship Centre After School Club, Spence Neighborhood Association, SPLASH Childcare Inc., Sunny Mountain Day Care Centre, Swan River Youth Drop In Centre, The Pas Family Resource Centre, Wee Care Child Centre Inc.