School Nutrition Action- SNAX

Article Ottawa Citizen Korey Kealey SnaX Program

History:

The SnaX program was a response to the unhealthy fundraising methods that schools currently have in place.  The SnaX project aims to provide schools with a healthy alternative to the current pizza, hotdog, and sub fundraising methods that are presently used.  Another goal of the project is to positively influence children and their families to eat healthy, real food by supplying students and parents with resources, tips and tricks for packing nutritious snacks.  SnaX aims to nourish and expose each child to a healthy alternative and have a long-term impact on the well-being of children.

Founder:

Korey Kealey is the founder of the SnaX program.

The schools currently involved :

• St. George School
• Elmdale
• Connaught
• Churchill.

Interested schools:

• JH Putman School
• South March Public School
• Whitehaven
• Broadview

Goal:

The healthy snack program aims to give all children in the school a nutritious snack for one week.  This program raises funds for the school and enhances the children’s readiness to learn in an academic environment.  This is a healthy addition to the current pizza, hot dog, and sub sandwich fundraising methods that are currently in place.  These methods are effective for schools but are unhealthy in a learning environment.

Sample Snack Menu:

• -Tropical Smoothie
• -Cinnamon Pita Dunkers
• -Fruit and Veggie with Cheese/Yogurt/Hummus
• -Whole wheat pita and Tzatziki and veggies (carrots, cucumbers, peppers, etc)
• -Crunchy Bread with applesauce

The snack program brings communities, schools, and parents together to help students develop attitudes and skills for healthy eating.  By creating supportive environments and encouraging children and youth to make informed choices, we can help them establish patterns for healthy living that they’ll carry into adulthood.  The school environment profoundly influences students’ attitudes, preferences, and behaviours.

A few facts:

-between 1978 and 2004, the number of overweight Canadian children doubled and, during the same period, the incidence of obesity has tripled in both boys and girls

-31% of elementary school and 62% of secondary school students do not eat a healthy breakfast daily and Canada remains one of the few developed nations without a national nutrition program for children

Schools have an important role to play in helping students lead healthier lives, including teaching students the skills to make healthy choices and reinforcing those lessons through school practices.  Help to create a social change that has a sustainable impact on the health and well-being of children.

If you are interested in getting your school into the SnaX program email info@enerjive.com or call Lindsay Firestone 613-294-0294

Print PDF