Kitchens and school gardens could be expanded under Ontario’s Food Literacy Act

Ontario’s proposed law will include opportunities to study local foods in the school curriculum. 

The understanding of the food system and its policies -sometimes referred to informally as agriculture literacy is crucial for all people, as these policies and systems affect the environment, economy, and the people who operate within these systems. These policies and systems influence the foods manufactured or accessible to us locally , in turn affecting our health and food habits.

Thus, awareness and understanding of a variety of different foods and cultures are crucial for the development of food literacy in schools in order to break down the colonization of food systems and related education. This is crucially essential in a country such as Canada, in which current food policies and experiences stem from the legacy that has been shaped by Colonialism (including residential schools) as well as Eurocentric and racist exclusionary policies for immigration.

In Canada, the policies that govern the way food is made, consumed, and distributed have negative effects on and are under-valuing Indigenous culture, practices, and practices of communities that are considered “other” by Eurocentric norms.

The education of students on food systems may assist the next generation to think about and design more sustainable and equitable food systems and to be advocates for the food that are food-justice issues pertinent to a variety of cultures and communities. Education in food literacy could enable communities and students to take part in decision-making about food policies, eating habits, deciding what they consume, how it is prepared and processed, and how it is distributed, and all of this impacts communities’ health and security.

Gardens and kitchens

Hands-on experiences, particularly working with food in kitchens or gardens, are a method for the students to improve their skills and strengthen their understanding.

This method of learning helps reinforce understanding when it comes to the food as well as the food system. Making use of hands-on techniques in a kitchen is proven to increase confidence in their abilities to cook. This can boost the likelihood of cooking and making meals by hand.

Schools often don’t have facilities like gardens or kitchens. Teachers are not trained to teach cooking and gardening classes. The development of parks and kitchens by the government is vital to ensure the possibility of hands-on food literacy. As of 2014, government officials in the United Kingdom have committed over $295 million to schools with cooking facilities as well as dining areas.

Read more: School-community Gardens Plant the Seeds of Change to Address Global Warming

In 2020, the Coalition for Healthy School Food called on the federal government for a one-time investment of $200 million in a dedicated school food fundfor infrastructure and equipment, such as kitchens and cafeterias, greenhouses, appliances and tools, and pilot projects.