Bagged Lunch Policy

Policy

PLASP Child Care Services promotes the healthy development of all children, recognizing the importance of a balanced diet with meals provided by PLASP and from home.

Purpose

To ensure that all employees, volunteers and students on placement are aware of and adhere the rules for food from home.

Scope

This policy applies to any PLASP operated programs during non-instructional school day (PA Days Winter, March and Summer).

Procedures

In order to promote a health balance diet with food from home during non-instructional school

Parent and Guardian’s Responsibilities

• Lunch is provided in a labelled lunch bag (with an ice pack where possible).
• The lunch should be nutritious and well balanced. Parents are encouraged to follow Canada’s Food Guide.
• Parents are required to ensure the medical information on their child’s registration is up to date, noting if the child has allergies or food intolerances.
• PLASP promotes a nut-free environment and we ask parents not to pack anything containing nuts (including foods that “may contain nuts”) in your child’s lunch.

Staff Responsibilities

• Staff will support parents by directing them to resources such as the Canada Food Guide when preparing their child’s lunch.
• Staff will refrigerate the lunches when the children arrive, where possible.
• All table surfaces will be cleaned with soap and water prior to and after the children have their lunch.
• Staff will ensure they wash their hands before assisting children with their lunches.
• Staff will ensure children wash their hands prior to and after eating lunch.
• Staff will monitor lunches from home (weather made or purchased) to ensure food does not contain nuts, have the warning sign “may contain nuts” and has not come in contact with peanuts or tree nuts.
• Staff will notify parents if concerns arise regarding the nutritional adequacy and/or presence of allergens in the lunch and snacks.
• If a child forgets to bring a lunch, or if allergens are present, PLASP staff will have on hand extra snacks to supplement, ex. apples, crackers or cheese.
• Staff will ensure that all children with known food allergies and life-threatening allergies are recorded and posted in every room where program operate.
• Staff will ensure outside food provided by PLASP does not contain allergens.
• PLASP staff will NOT allow children to share lunches.