Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program NFVP Expansion Ministry

Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) Expansion Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Population and Public Health Division October 2016

Presentation Overview • Patients First : Action Plan for Health Care • Ontario First Nations Health Action Plan (OFNHAP) • Current Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) • Expansion Overview

Strategic Priorities PATIENTS FIRST: ACTION PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE The ministry is dedicated to fostering a culture of health and wellness that will support Indigenous peoples in making educated, informed decisions about their health. MOHLTC MANDATE LETTERS The 2016 Mandate Letter for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care emphasizes the importance of working in co-operation with Indigenous partners to act on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and to help achieve real and measureable change for Indigenous communities. POPULATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION Population and Public Health Division (PPHD) programs for Indigenous peoples are intended to address the impact of social determinants of health and risk factors of chronic disease on Indigenous communities and to foster increased opportunities for healthy active living.

Population and Public Health Division Program Objectives Health Promotion and Healthy Living Disease Prevention Health Assessment and Surveillance Health Protection

Population and Public Health Division Program Objectives • Health Promotion and Healthy Living • Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) Ontario First Nations Health Action Plan (OFNHAP)

Ontario’s First Nations Health Action Plan (OFNHAP) Overview • Ontario is investing nearly $222 million over the next three years to ensure Indigenous peoples have access to more culturally appropriate care and improved outcomes, focusing on the North where there are significant gaps in health services.

Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) Overview Current NFVP Program Description NFVP Expansion Description 20 week program that runs from January to June and provides twice weekly no cost fresh fruits and vegetables in combination with healthy eating and physical activity education in schools. Will include North Bay/ Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, Northwest, Timiskaming, and on-reserve schools in Sudbury. The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) distributes the fruits and vegetables in partnership with three northern Public Health Units (Algoma Public Health, Porcupine Health Unit, and Sudbury and District Health Unit) Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all students in elementary schools in Northern Ontario, reaching an estimated 37, 500 additional children, including 13, 000 Indigenous children in northern and remote communities.

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Partners Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association External Evaluator Tribal Councils Public Health Units Student/Family School Boards, Elementary and Intermediate Schools Education Authorities Political Territorial Organizations First Nations Communities

Program Successes • Results have determined that the NFVP positively impacted students’ overall fruit and vegetable likeability, willingness to try new foods, and ability to make healthy dietary choices. • Compared to 2014, both fruit and vegetable likeability increased in 2015. 92% • Of participants “agreed or agreed a lot” that they enjoyed receiving fruit or vegetables as part of the NFVP. 85% • Of participants “agreed or agreed a lot” that the NFVP helped them to achieve their weekly intake of fruits and vegetables. 80% • Of participants “agreed or agreed a lot” that the NFVP helped them to learn better in school. 89% • Of participants “agreed or agreed a lot” that the NFVP helped them be more physically active.

Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program EXPANSION

NFVP • Increase consumption and awareness of fresh fruits and vegetables in combination with healthy eating and physical activity education to school-aged Program children, on and off reserve, in Northern Ontario Objective Goals • Increase awareness and consumption of fruits and vegetables for elementary and intermediate school-aged children • Educate elementary and intermediate school-aged children and their families about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables, and the associated benefits of healthy eating and physical activity to overall health. • Implement the NFVP in all elementary and intermediate schools in Northern Ontario, on and off reserve. • Enhance sustainability of the NFVP by incorporating community development initiatives • Increase the number of school-aged children consuming fresh fruits and vegetables • Increase access of fresh fruits and vegetables to impact likeability, awareness, and consumption Outcome • Increase knowledge on the benefits of healthy eating and active living • Build sustained partnerships with First Nations communities, schools, and Public Health Units • Reach an additional 37, 500 children, including 13, 000 Indigenous children.

Community Development • • Consultations with First Nations partners will explore methods to enhance the sustainability of the NFVP by including community development initiatives Some examples of community development initiatives may include: • • • Training in safe food handling Elder involvement Community gardens/ greenhouses Canning, preservation Berry picking Incorporation of traditional foods and teachings

Proposed NFVP Expansion Timeline Phase 1 – 2016/17 Partner Consultations Phase 2 – 2017/18 Partner Consultations Phase 3 – 2018/19 Full implementation • North Bay Parry Sound (on and off reserve) • Timiskaming (on and off reserve) • Sudbury (on-reserve) Full Implementation: Fridge delivery and partial (12 week) implementation: • North Bay Parry Sound (on and off reserve) • Timiskaming (on and off reserve) • Sudbury (on-reserve) Fridge Delivery and partial Implementation: • Northwestern (on and off reserve) • Thunder Bay (on and off reserve)

Questions?

Program Contacts Nicole Nolet Population and Public Health Division Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Nicole. nolet@ontario. ca Zarfeen Ebrahim Population and Public Health Division Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Zarfeen. Ebrahim@ontario. ca Susy Faria Population and Public Health Division Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Susy. Faria@ontario. ca

Thank you!