Learn About The #Toonies4Tummies Campaign from The Grocery Foundation- ENTER TO WIN

Many of you know that we are the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassadors for Kitchener Waterloo, which makes us very interested in local food programs.  We talk about everything from Farm to Table at the Kitchener Market to ways the community can help Nutrition for Learning, our local school breakfast program.

When we learned that Nutrition For Learning benefits from the #Toonies4Tummies Campaign organized by The Grocery Foundation, we knew this was something we wanted to be involved with.

 Because virtually all research confirms the positive impact of student nutrition programs, from behaviour and attention, to initiative and academic results, as well as on promoting high school graduation rates it is important to spread the word about this important info.  Thanks to the support of sponsors and retail partners, The Grocery Foundation is enable to ensure 100% of all proceeds collected from the campaign go back to fund local student nutrition programs just like Nutrition for Learning. Additionally, The Grocery Foundation will partner with The Ontario Student Nutrition Program Network to help optimize donations with approved local student nutrition programs throughout the province.  This is also motivating students to support the #Toonie4Tummies Campaign. 

Southwestern Ontario Student Initiative

MacKenzie Wilson is one of the Grocery Foundation’s Agents of Change.  You can learn about the event she organized at Waverly Public School in Guelph Ontario by reading the Guelph Mercury story at http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/7070794-breakfast-event-highlights-need-for-guelph-school-food-programs

We had the opportunity to interview Mackenzie about her experience as a Grocery Foundation Agent of Change.  Here’s what she had to say.

1. How did you first get involved with the Grocery Foundation?

I first got involved with the Grocery Foundation in fall 2016, when my food program organizer (a teacher at my school) approached me about being involved in the Agents of Change program. The program was designed for high school students, but my teacher had heard they were looking for an Ambassador for the region, and asked if I was interested. I completed a short "bio" introducing myself to the Grocery Foundation, was accepted into the program... and here I am! :)

2. What has being an Agent of Change meant to you?

Being an Agent of Change has definitely changed my perspective. It was empowering to be chosen for this role and is empowering to have a chance to really change something. Having this opportunity, and that includes running my "Big Breakfast" at my school, was life-changing, and this experience has really meant a lot to me. When you know the need of student nutrition, like I do, realizing you can make a difference is amazing.

3. What have you learned since organizing your #Toonies4Tummies event?

Learning how welcoming and supportive the community was.

4. Who or what has inspired you to be philanthropically inclined?

I think one of the biggest things that has inspired me is my food program and my school. I started attending Waverley Drive PS in grade four, after transferring from my old school to the gifted program. Right away, the food program became pretty popular. It was impressive to me to see such a wonderful program being run in a school with student volunteers. I didn't end up working there until grade six, yet the impact of the food served was clear. Even though much of my student population has enough food in our lunches, the reality is many children around the world don't. This is a real issue, impacting over 1.1 million children across Canada, and this issue, along with the students, teachers, and volunteers at my school, has really inspired me to try and make a difference.

5. Do you have any suggestions for others wanting to get involved in their local community?

In our community, there are a few good ways to help with this student - and community - nutrition issue. You could volunteer at a food bank or grocery store, but I think people tend to under-estimate the power of donating. While it may seem like small thing to do, it really impacts students. Following the campaign promise, a toonie donated to #Toonies4Tummies really helps, along with other donations to other organizations. But, if that's not your style, volunteering is definitely a good option as well; help is needed everywhere, and is appreciated. 

I just want people to realize the importance of student nutrition. There are so many benefits of students coming to school with full bellies, and any money donated means a lot; just a toonie (like for #Toonies4Tummies) really makes a difference to a child.

Wondering How You Can Help #Toonies4Tummies?

Many local grocery stores are involved in with this initiative. Next time you visit your local Food Basics, Metro, or Longos between February 9^th to 23^rd be sure to donate at the checkout and know you are contributing to our community.  Want to see where your donations are helping? Visit the TOONIE TRACKER at http://www.tooniesfortummies.ca then enter your postal code.  You will begin to understand why it is important to support this cause.

For more information about THE GROCERY FOUNDATION and #TOONIES4TUMMIES check out the links and infographic below.Plus there is a chance to win a Grocery Gift Card that is valid at more than 355 Ontario stores including; Metro, Food Basics, Longo’s and participating independent grocers

The Grocery Foundation Website: http://www.groceryfoundation.com

#Toonies4Tummies Info Page: http://www.groceryfoundation.com/tooniesfortummies
#Toonies4Tummies Info Page: http://www.tooniesfortummies.ca


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Guiding Stars And PC Plus Points Mean Healthy Savings

 

Getting A Guided Tour Of The Guiding Stars Program

We recently learned about the Guiding Stars program offered to PC Plus members. It is FREE to join and well worth it.  The Guiding Stars program works on an easy to understand algorithm.

 

Guiding Stars® scores foods based on a balance of credits and debits.

Foods are credited for vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, whole grains and omega-3s, and debited for saturated fats, trans fats, added sodium and added sugars. Items are rated impartially using an algorithm based on information from the food package or a Canadian nutrition database.

The food items are given a 1, 2 or 3 star rating, with 3 being the highest nutritional value. For example all of these berries received a 3 star rating



and so did these avocados (and yes that is a good deal on avocados).



 

Not sure what I mean when I say they were rated 3 stars? Look at the price and listed on the items above and then to the right of the price you will see a strip of blue with 3 white stars!



If the shelf tag has no stars, it simply means either:

a.) The food doesn’t meet the nutritional criteria for a Guiding Star. Of course, you can still enjoy these foods.Nobody is expected to eat star worthy foods all the time. Just consider balancing eating the foods you love with a healthy, active lifestyle. And, as always, you can read the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list to help you make informed choices that work best for you and your family.

b.) The food is not rated. Products like bottled water, dried spices, coffee and tea are not rated by Guiding Stars because they contain fewer than 5 calories per serving.

c.) The food hasn’t yet been rated. There is a chance that a new item has hit the shelf and has not yet gone through the full rating process. Check back during your next visit!

A Map To The Stars

Also while wandering the store I noticed a little tag that said PULL. My curious mind wanted to see what I could find.  Have a look at what is was



It was an overview of the Guiding Stars program along with nutritional facts about the item displayed on the shelf, in this case it was about the nutrients that are found in nuts.

There is lots of  great information about the Guiding Stars program on their website GuidingStars.ca plus you will become knowledgeable while making your grocery list for the week. 
Head to the FOOD FINDER PAGE and type in some of the items on your list to see how they rated by Guiding Stars.

Additionally you can pick your local store from the list below and login with your PC Plus points login info and receive personalized information based on your purchases. Think of it as FREE ONLINE COACHING.

Where You Can Find The Guiding Stars Program?

Here in Kitchener Waterloo you can find the Guiding Stars Program at

• Zehrs
• No Frills
• Real Canadian Superstore

for those outside Kitchener Waterloo you can find it at the stores listed above as well as

• Loblaws
• Fortinos
• valu-mart
• Your Independent Grocer
• Provigo
• Atlantic Superstore
• Dominion
• Maxi
• Maxi and Cie
• Save Easy

 We think this program will assist families with the shopping. Obviously not every item in your shopping cart will be a 3 star item. As you know we are all about all things in moderation when it comes to snacks and sweets, so this tool will very helpful when it comes to balancing your daily meals.

 

How Do Your Rate Guiding Stars?

Have you used the Guiding Stars program? Let us know in the comments if you think it gets a 3 star rating!