Healthy meal and snack options are an important part of creating healthy eating environments where we live, learn, work and play. These resources provide you with information on nutrition standards for schools in B.C. 

The Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools (the Guidelines) define the minimum nutrition standards that schools are required to use to determine what food and beverages can be sold to students. This document contains information, tools and fact sheets to support implementation of the Guidelines across the school setting. The Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools are available in English and in French.

The Guidelines include a series of fact sheets to help parents, food providers, school administrators, and teachers with implementation. Click on the links below to learn more. 

• Boosting the Sales of Nutritious Food in Schools
• Food Fundraiser Ideas for Schools
• Involving Everyone in Implementing the Guidelines
• Making Bake Sales Delicious and Nutritious
• Planning Healthy Cafeteria Menus
• Selling Food and Beverages at School Sporting Events
• Stock Vending Machines and Stores with Healthy Food and Beverages

The Guidelines At-a-Glance provide a brief overview of the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools. The Guidelines At-a-Glance are available in English and in French.

These ready-to-use slide presentations can help you teach others about the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools. They will help you provide an overview of the Guidelines, provide details on how to implement the Guidelines, and teach others how to use the Checklist. Speaking notes are inserted into the second version of each presentation listed below. 

• An Overview of the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
  • Speaking notes for presentation
• How to Implement the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
  • Speaking notes for presentation
• Learning to Use the Checklist in the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
  • Speaking notes for presentation

See Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools (2013 Edition) for frequently asked questions.  

The scoring summary reports help people that prepare food and beverages for sale to students in B.C. schools score freshly-made foods using the Checklist. You can find the Checklist in the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools (PDF 5.61 MB), on pages 18 to 37. 

To get started, score your menu items using the Checklist, and then record the results in the relevant scoring summary report listed below. There is a separate report for each food and beverage category in the Checklist. The scoring summary reports can then be shared with school food purchasers to prove that freshly made menu items meet the criteria set out in the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools. 

• Scoring Summary Report - Beverages
• Scoring Summary Report - Grain Dishes and Baked Goods
• Scoring Summary Report - Meat and Alternative Dishes
• Scoring Summary Report - Mixed Entrees, Sandwiches, Wraps, Pitas, Burgers, and Pizza
• Scoring Summary Report - Salad, Vegetables, and Fruit Dishes
• Scoring Summary Report - Side Dishes
• Scoring Summary Report - Side Sauces and Dips
• Scoring Summary Report - Soup  

These resources provide information to support implementation of the Guidelines in British Columbia schools.

Brand Name Food List 

The Brand Name Food List (the List) is a tool to help British Columbians choose ready-to-eat food and beverages that meet the nutrition standards for schools and public buildings.

Bake Better Bites: Recipes and Tips for Healthier Baked Goods 

This resource contains recipes and tips for preparing healthy baked goods. This resource supports the implementation of the Guidelines for Food and Beverages Sales in BC Schools and is helpful for parents, community volunteers, school staff and students. See: Bake Better Bites: Recipes and Tips for Healthier Baked Goods. (PDF 2.43 MB).

Tips and Recipes for Quantity Cooking: Nourishing Minds and Bodies 

This resource includes tips on how to choose healthy recipes, substitutions to make favourite recipes healthier and a selection of delicious recipes. This resource supports the implementation of the Guidelines for Food and Beverages Sales in BC Schools and is helpful for people who prepare meals and snacks for schools. See: Tips and Recipes for Quantity Cooking: Nourishing Minds and Bodies.

Common Cooking and Baking Conversions 

Use this tool to help you change from imperial to metric measurements when scoring your recipes for freshly made foods. See: Common Cooking and Baking Conversions.

School Meal and School Nutrition Program Handbook

This handbook supports school meal coordinators, school administrators, caterers, and others who are involved in providing healthy food and beverages to vulnerable students. The School Meal and School Nutrition Program Handbook (PDF 7.3 MB) is based on the 2010 edition of the Guidelines but provides useful information on healthy eating, meal planning, fundraising, and program planning and evaluation.

Healthy Schools BC

Healthy Schools BC is a partnership of organizations working together on healthy school initiatives. The website has a collection of healthy schools information and resources to help support the health and learning of students. The website is available in English and French.

Healthy Eating at School

Healthy Eating at School supports school communities in B.C. to take action on school nutrition policy and practices. It uses a comprehensive school health model to address issues such as healthy fundraising, the school environment, nutrition education, food at school, community partners and school nutrition policy.

School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project

The School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy project promotes health in B.C. elementary schools. Find information about community resources, helping students choose activities they enjoy, building confidence and more.

Last Updated: June 2021