The Great Big Crunch 2009 Media:

A great big crunch (with video)

Posted By Heather Rivers, HEALTH REPORTER
WoodStock Sentinel Review

March 7, 2009

Students at D.M. Sutherland celebrated Nutrition Month by taking a big bite out of a red apple Thursday afternoon.

"It is kind of fun to have an assembly and have something healthy to eat," school nourishment program co-ordinator Lynda Metcalfe said to the students gathered in the gym for the events.

The school was one of 25 area schools that took part in Foodshare's "The Big Crunch," where students toasted living a healthy lifestyle with a big bite.

"It shows schools care and the board of health cares about what they eat. We encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables because they're not getting enough," Metcalfe said.

The school decided to participate in the event because it is committed to a daily student snack program that includes a fresh fruit or vegetable, a serving of carbohydrate and protein.

"We thought it would be an excellent idea to promote nutrition," said Cathy Jollymore, educational assistant and snack co-ordinator.

As part of the program, students learned about healthy eating and local and global food system, while following the journey from the apple seed, to the harvest, to the core.

Metcalfe said about 75 per cent of local schools participate in the snack program, sponsored by The Oxford County Nutritional Partnership.

"D.M. Sutherland is one of the most successful programs," Metcalfe said. "It's been going for five or six years."

Students receive the healthy snack every day through funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, through funds received by the Oxford Nutritional Partnership through the United Way and fundraising efforts.