Every bite matters
Plant Based Treaty 1.5 for Early Childhood Education
Summary
This Playbook champions the integration of plant-based menus into Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers globally. With mounting awareness about the environmental, health, and economic advantages, pioneering ECE centers such as Guelph’s Child Care and Learning Centre in Canada and Australia’s Sustainable Play preschool have blazed the trail. Such dietary shifts align with the updated Canada Food Guide and are supported by organizations like the American Dietetic Association. The Playbook also provides a wealth of resources, from webinars and peer-reviewed scientific articles to menu examples and sustainability reports. Emphasizing child-focused nutrition, environmental conservation, and cultural inclusivity, it presents a compelling case for ECE centers to adopt plant-based practices.
Key Recommendations:
- Design and offer nutrient-dense, plant-based menus that fulfill children’s dietary requirements.
- Engage with pediatric dietitians and nutritionists for expert guidance.
- Introduce hands-on activities like gardening to foster a connection between children and their food.
- Utilize the resources provided, including illustrative menus and handy substitution guides.
- Publicize the environmental and health perks of plant-centric diets.
- Tackle community reservations by presenting data-supported benefits and real success stories.
- Accentuate the enduring benefits this transition offers to children and our planet
Who this guide is for:
Parents, caregivers, educators, and ECE centers across the globe will find this guide indispensable. It caters to those keen on both understanding and introducing plant-based menus.
We would love to hear from you if you are implementing best practises in plant-based food policy that we haven’t listed – we may be able to add them. We’d also love to receive good example case studies – please email us at [email protected]