At Lakedell School Breakfast and Lunch are provided on a daily basis as needed, with a strong focus on balanced and nutritional meals as outlined in the Canadian Food Guide.
Lakedell School was recognized for it's commitment to providing nutritional meals to our students by:
- Breakfast For Learning
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Dieticians of Canada
- Alberta Milk Producers
Lakedell School was also the proud recipient of the 2008-2009 Nutrition Innovation Award with a prize of $1000.
Lakedell School would also like to recognize a few of our many generous supporters:
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Telus with a $5000.00 donation
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Finishing Touch Ministries
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Battle Lake Church
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Pigeon Lake Lions Club
A special thanks to the many other community organizations, churches, and individuals who have contributed to this program.
Good nutrition throughout childhood is critical to a child's ability to learn. Educators have recognized this link between nutrition and learning for years, and recent studies showing that well-fed children learn better than poorly nourished children back up the anecdotal evidence. From the prenatal time period throughout childhood and into adulthood, nutrition plays a pivotal role in an individuals intellectual as well as their physical development.
A nutritious breakfast provides approximately one-fourth of the recommended dietary allowances (Recommended Daily Intake) for key nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. In addition, educators agree that hungry or undernourished children tend to be irritable, apathetic and lethargic, conditions that interfere with learning.
Nutritionally, children who eat breakfast are much better off than those who skip it. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher 24 hour nutrient intakes when compared to those who skip breakfast. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the lost nutrients later in the day, and average less than 2/3 of the Recommended Daily Intake for many nutrients.
In general, a meal including a variety of foods from several food groups will provide the most benefits to a child, educationally, nutritionally, and physically.
Consistent, healthy food intake throughout the day and throughout the year meets important educational outcomes in addition to health outcomes. And, because eating habits developed during childhood have the potential to last a lifetime, the long-term benefits of ensuring our children eat nutritious meals every day will last years after they have graduated.