News and Highlights

We are pleased to announce the launch of the newly expanded Eat Smart!^® Workplace Program! The new program is a multi-level award program that includes bronze, silver and gold levels.

The Eat Smart!^® Workplace Program is now available to workplaces that may not have a full-service cafeteria, but offer other food services such as a café and/or vending machines. The expanded program also features marketing strategies that promote healthier food choices.

At a ceremony to recognize Century Gardens in Brampton as the first recreation centre in the Region of Peel to receive the Eat Smart!® Award of Excellence, the Eat Smart!® Recreation Centre Program was officially launched in Ontario on April 13th.

Since the Eat Smart!^® Recreation Centre Program was launched in spring 2010, 18 recreation centres have been presented with the Eat Smart!^® Award of Excellence by the following health units:

Introducing the Eat Smart!^® Choices Calculator, a new user-friendly tool to help evaluate single serving packaged food products to determine whether or not they qualify as Eat Smart!^® choices for the Eat Smart!^® Workplace and Recreation Centre Programs. Single-serving packaged food products can be sold in vending machines, snack bars, cafés, tuck shops or “grab-and-go” stations in cafeterias. The Calculator is designed to be used by public health staff, food service staff, workplace or recreation centre staff, and consumers.

The first Eat Smart!^® Workplace Cafeteria Recipe Contest, held in March and April, 2010 was conducted by the City of Hamilton Public Health Services in partnership with Healthy Living Hamilton. In the spirit of a little healthy competition, Eat Smart! Workplace cafeteria chefs/cooks were challenged to enter their favourite recipe in a recipe contest! Each recipe was required to be an entrée prepared using a low fat cooking method as well as vegetables or fruit, and be an original recipe of the contestant.