January 31, 2011
 Starting
today, employees, patients and visitors to the Thunder Bay
Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) will be seeing more
healthy options in their cafeteria and the cafeteria vending
machine as it participates in an Eat Smart! pilot study of
the new provincial Cafeteria Eat Smart! standards.
The TBRHSC cafeteria is one of only 9 in the province helping
to evaluate the new standards which emphasize: lowering prices
on healthier food options, positioning healthy food choices
so they are clearly visible, and doing more promotion of the
healthy options. The new standards also apply to vending machines.
Some changes that patrons and staff will see include: healthier
foods moved to the front of the cafeteria where they are more
visible; 100% fruit juices offered in smaller serving sizes;
daily specials which incorporate at least 3 of 4 food groups;
and the vending machine will be selling fruit juices at a
lower cost than pop.
“We are proud to implement such an important program
at the TBRHSC,” said CEO Andrée Robichaud. “In
addition to our Patient and Family Centred Care model, we
are focusing on the healthy opportunities to visitors and
staff, by creating an environment that promotes healthy options
and educates patrons at the same time. Our ultimate goal is
to help our staff and visitors improve their health. Benefiting
from the expertise of our management partnership with Sodexo,
Eat Smart! and our ongoing promotions will help to educate
anyone who eats in our cafeteria and entice them to make healthier
food choices at every meal.”
At today’s kick-off, staff and patrons of the TBRHSC
cafeteria taste-tested healthy meals, played nutrition games
and were challenged to compare cafeteria items to determine
which ones are healthier. In February the cafeteria will be
promoting the Eat Smart! choices by running promotions to
increase the consumption of vegetables, fruit, whole grains,
and healthier beverage and snack choices. The Health Unit
will be working with TBRHSC to implement more changes in the
weeks to follow.
“We are excited that TBRHSC has agreed to help the
Health Unit pilot the new Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria Standards”
says Kim McGibbon, public health dietitian. “This means
that for their staff and clients purchasing food, the healthy
choice is now easier to make.”
More information about the Eat Smart! Cafeteria Program,
including a list of currently certified Eat Smart! cafeterias
can be found in the backgrounder below or at TBDHU.com
or visit www.eatsmartontario.ca
TBRHSC receives Eat Smart Award of Excellence
for providing exceptional standards in nutrition and safe
food handling
Eat Smart Backgrounder:
- Eat Smart! is a provincial program designed to encourage healthy food choices and food safety in
school and worksite cafeterias across the province. The overall goal of Eat Smart! is to contribute to
the reduction of food borne illness and chronic disease in Ontario. Eight worksite cafeterias in the
district of Thunder Bay were Eat Smart! certified last year and it is hoped that more will follow the
lead of TBRHSC for Silver and Gold certification in the future.
- A growing body of research acknowledges the impact of community environments on people's food choices.
As consumers become more aware of the benefits of healthy eating, they are looking to make healthier food choices.
According to the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association's 2006 report, consumer demand for menu items
like pasta, deli sandwiches, hot tea and subs is growing, while demand for foods like pizza, burgers, donuts
and fries is slowing down. Accordingly, Eat Smart! has been implemented provincially in school and workplace
cafeterias to assist food service providers in introducing healthier foods.
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