OTTAWA
Algonquin College becomes the first Canadian college to sign Health Canada's food guide-friendly pledge

Algonquin College has become the first college to sign Health Canada's food guide-friendly pledge, committing to taking meaningful steps to maintain, and enhance, a healthy food environment on campus.

"We are very proud to be the first college in Canada to make this commitment," said Duane McNair, Vice President, Finance and Administration, Algonquin College. "This pledge not only highlights our excellent food options on campus, but also demonstrates our dedication to continue to make healthy eating more and more accessible."

The food guide-friendly program is a voluntary initiative designed to help publicly-funded institutions create healthier food environments, which ultimately leads people to make more healthy eating choices.

"Health Canada's pledge recognizes our existing efforts in making fruits and vegetables readily available and encouraging healthy eating behaviours in the Marketplace Food Court," said Emma Kaye, Wellness and Sustainability Coordinator, Registered Dietitian.

"But our work is never done. Part of the pledge is committing to nutrition on campus by looking for ways to improve by putting more emphasis on promoting healthier choices and increasing availability of these options."

The Marketplace Food Court is Algonquin College's first food service location to be recognized as food guide-friendly. Other self-operated Food Service locations on the Ottawa Campus will be working towards the same recognition in the upcoming terms.