Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Education Act is amended to provide that curriculum guidelines shall require that courses of study be developed in experiential food literacy education and healthy eating for every grade from grade 1 through grade 12. The courses of study must ensure that students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods. Every board is required to provide instruction in the courses of study and to provide training and support for teachers and other staff of the board. Completion of the courses of study are a requirement for obtaining the Ontario secondary school diploma, the secondary school graduation diploma and the secondary school honour graduation diploma.

Bill 216 2020

An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of food literacy

Preamble

Food literacy, including experiential or hands-on skills learned in gardens and kitchens, is critical for making healthy food choices that enable self-reliance and improve human health.  Experiential food literacy and skills instruction in every grade starting in grade 1 will allow students to learn how to make healthier food choices that are critical to life-long health.

Requiring school boards to offer experiential food literacy education will equip Ontario students with essential life skills and the knowledge and confidence to grow, prepare and choose healthy food that will support positive health outcomes and help reduce health care costs.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1 Part XIII.1 of the Education Act is amended by adding the following section:

Food Literacy

Curriculum

322 (1)  Curriculum guidelines issued by the Minister under paragraph 3 of subsection 8 (1) shall require that courses of study be developed in experiential food literacy education and healthy eating for each grade from grade 1 through grade 12.

Same

(2)  The courses of study referred to in subsection (1) shall ensure that students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods.

Same

(3)  Every board shall provide instruction in the courses of study referred to in subsection (1) and shall provide training and support for teachers and other staff of the board respecting food literacy education and the assessment of food literacy education.

Requirement for secondary school diploma

(4)  The requirements for obtaining the Ontario secondary school diploma, the secondary school graduation diploma or the secondary school honour graduation diploma shall include the requirement that the pupil complete the courses of study referred to in subsection (1).

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020.