Integrating Cultural and Indigenous food into School Food Programs: Research findings from Hamilton and Peel Region
June 3
5:00 – 7:00pm, and at points during session breaks
This presentation reports elementary school parent and teacher perspectives on the inclusion of cultural and Indigenous food in School Food Programs (SFPs). It is based on findings from the “Co-creating an Inclusive and Caring National School Food Program in Canada” study done in Hamilton and Peel Region in 2024. We found that many parents and teachers are in favour of integrating cultural and Indigenous foods into SFPs with the following aims: 1) to represent students of diverse ethnic and Indigenous backgrounds; 2) to educate students about culturally diverse and Indigenous foods. We also present some challenges and concerns voiced by participants.
(Click to zoom)
Bio:
TINA MOFFAT is a professor of Anthropology at McMaster University. Her area of research is nutrition and food insecurity as it relates to the social and cultural determinants of health with a focus on children’s food and nutrition, newcomer dietary change, and school food programs.
RACHEL ENGLER-STRINGER is a professor in Community Health and Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research interests include food systems and food security; nutritional health inequities; health promotion; and participatory research.