Food literacy campaign pulls kids into the kitchen
Sally, Janey and George Van Straaten are taking part in a province wide food literacy program, that’s encouraging kids to cook more.
“We can bond in the kitchen, and sometimes argue about whose doing what, but that comes with the territory,” says Sally.
The Van Straaten’s are one of many Ontario families taking their shot at the “Six by Sixteen Challenge,” organized by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
“The Six by Sixteen Challenge is a food literacy program that the OFA developed to get kids to learn how to cook six nutritious meals by the time they’re 16,” says OFA Director, and Perth County farmer, Brent Royce.
From a parent’s perspective, teaching kids the difference between a spatula and spinach, makes sense.
“Well from my point of view, it’s having help in the kitchen and getting the kids to learn to make more meals for themselves, and for us, when we’re busy,” says Sally Van Straaten, a Perth County egg farmer.
From the OFA’s perspective, getting kids to reach for lettuce over “lunchables”, at a young age, makes for more discerning food consumers, in the future.
“When I went to college, we lived on macaroni dinner. We know that’s not necessarily the healthiest, so this is to help make the kids capable of creating healthy, nutritious, locally sourced meals. It sets them up for life,” says Royce, who farms near Listowel.
Janey Van Straaten is well on her way to her six meals by the age of sixteen goal, but her brother, George, not so much.
“He likes to do the mixing and the taste testing,” says Janey.
“I like to lick the spoons,” says George.
The OFA has partnered with Bell Media to promote the Six by Sixteen Challenge across Ontario through a series of videos.
You can learn more by visiting www.sixbysixteen.me
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.