The City of Toronto has released a new "kid-approved" menu full of healthy recipes that use locally grown produce to be distributed to childcare operators across Ontario.
The menu was officially announced last Wednesday during a public event hosted by councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth) at the Danforth Child Care Centre. Also in attendance were Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food, Kathleen Wynne and Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of Toronto's Community Development and Recreation Committee.
The impetus for the creation of the menu comes from a 2011 Toronto City Council's adoption of a Local Food Procurement Policy, the goal of which is to increase the amount of locally grown food in City-run centers.
Thanks to a Greenbelt Fund grant (courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food), the city's Environment & Energy Office in collaboration with Toronto Children's Services, were able not only to develop a menu of healthy foods, but also to taste test each item with the help of more than 400 children from City-operated child care centres across the GTA.
"Locally produced food is beneficial for the city's economy, the environment and our health," said Councillor Robinson at Wednesday's event. "In addition to serving fresh, local foods at our child care centers, we will be supporting local farmers, creating local jobs, and reducing our carbon footprint."
"I want our young people to grow up eating nutritious, local food," added Premier Wynne. "The Greenbelt Fund, the City of Toronto and the provincial government have worked together to get more Ontario-grown food in Toronto’s child care centers with simple, healthy recipes that are helping us build awareness and support local farmers.”
All the recipes, including macaroni and cheese with cauliflower and chicken, are also available online in nine different languages on the
Live Green Toronto website.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: City of Toronto