Government of Canada invests in program to promote healthy eating

Kid Food Nation will help kids and families develop knowledge and skills to plan and prepare healthy meals. Image: USDA

OTTAWA -- For many of us, life is only getting busier. To save time, we are relying more and more on convenient processed foods.  As a consequence, many kids today aren't developing the nutritional knowledge or kitchen and food preparation skills they need to maintain healthy lives.

Also read, New research reveals unlimited food and beverage ads are negatively affecting Canadian kids.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, joined by Owen Charters, President & CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Doug Murphy, President & CEO of Corus Entertainment, announced funding for Kid Food Nation. This initiative will help kids and families develop food skills through hands-on experiences related to planning, preparing and cooking healthy meals and snacks.

"Teaching our children food preparation skills lays the groundwork for a healthy future. Together with our partners, we are proud to launch this exciting new initiative to inspire kids, parents and families across the country to find creative, fun ways to make healthy eating and meal preparation part of their everyday life," said Jane Philpott Minister of Health.

The program will be delivered at Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada, and will feature an online hub where Canadians will have access to resources on healthy eating and meal preparation. A national recipe competition will also be launched later this year to encourage kids from across the country to put their food literacy skills into practice and submit original, healthy and nutritious recipes. Kid Food Nation will celebrate Canada's culinary heritage by featuring regional and Indigenous ingredients and dishes from across the country.

"Last year, we provided 6.5 million healthy meals and snacks to Boys and Girls Club members across the country. Nutritional education, food preparation, and healthy habits are critical skills. We are pleased to collaborate with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Corus Entertainment to set a new, healthier path for Canada's young people and their families," said Owen Charters, President & CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.

Quick facts

• Four out of five Canadians risk developing conditions such as cancer, heart disease or type 2 diabetes; six out of ten adults are overweight and one-third of youth are overweight or obese.
• Poor diet is the primary risk factor for obesity and many chronic diseases, and places a significant burden on the health of Canadians and our health care system.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing nearly $5 million in funding over five years for Kid Food Nation. Additional support from Corus Entertainment will bring the total investment to approximately $10 million over 5 years.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada, through its Multi-Sectoral Partnership Approach to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease, has invested $49 million and leveraged an additional $43 million from partners. These funds will promote healthy eating, physical activity and wellness, and address the common risk factors that underlie major chronic diseases.
• This partnership is a component of the vision for a healthy Canada, a holistic and pragmatic approach to health that focuses on healthy eating, healthy living and having a healthy mind. The Healthy Eating Strategy, another component of the vision for a healthy Canada, will help make healthy food choices the easy choice for all Canadians.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada