Halifax students learn about the importance of healthy food and fitness
Brent Mansfield couldn't have picked a better day to spend outside for a 'fun run.'
The Vancouver-based teacher is an advocate for school lunch programs and is in Halifax as part of the 'Steps for School Food' campaign.
'The fun run came from the fact that I love to run, so it's something that I started doing with my own students,' said Mansfield. 'First I ran 200 laps around my elementary school back in October of 2023 to call on the federal government that had committed $200 million a year towards a national school food program.'
Mansfield has combined his love of running with his passion for healthy meals and brought that message to students.
Brent Mansfield
Brent Mansfield spent the day running laps around Springvale Elementary School as part of the 'Steps for School Food' campaign Thursday, May 15, 2025.
'How do we take these great initiatives to get kids moving, get outside, connecting with nature, and how do we connect that to other aspects of healthy living and just supporting student wellness like school food programs,' he said.
Mansfield works with the Coalition for Healthy School Food and has connected with Nourish Nova Scotia.
'There's so much evidence that tells us that when kids have access to nutritious foods, they learn better, attendance can be better,' said Nourish Nova Scotia executive director Aimee Gasparetto.
'Food is such a foundational component of the learning environment, and so when kids are able to access food, it makes them happier, it makes them stronger and really makes them able to engage in the school environment a lot better.'
Springvale Elementary School was selected as the first stop on Manfield's tour because it already has a Kids Run Club.
'Kids are trying to build up their running stamina to feel more confident and happy in movement and healthy in their body. Gets them outside, but the idea is that they're becoming better runners but confident and stronger in themselves,' said Karen Christie, the Kids Run Club Coordinator with the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation.
'I think it's such a good basis for all other activities.'
Mansfield said the 'Steps for School Food' campaign is all about how to build the best lunch programs. He said all 13 provinces and territories have now signed on to the National School Food Program.
'Nova Scotia is such a leader. How do we see that grow across Canada and how do we make sure that we're building in that student engagement and food literacy that is so vital to seeing these programs be successful,' he said.
Next, Mansfield will head to Newfoundland and then Yukon to continue his mission.
Students
Grade 3 students at Springvale Elementary School participated in the 'Steps for School Food' campaign Thursday, May 15, 2025.
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