Toronto's rich cultural diversity means you can eat healthy in so many interesting ways. From Little India to Little Korea there are hundreds of restaurants, markets, delis and even street vendors for you to discover. Why not explore the specialties offered by different communities? You might discover new foods that are easy to make and fun to buy. Of course there are many other ways that can help you eat healthier… Join a cooking club. Grow a vegetable garden. Visit a farmer's market. Or make supermarket shopping a family outing.

Here are just a few options Toronto offers when it comes to healthy eating:

• Healthy Snack Vending Machines

• Markets

• Recipes

• Cooking Classes

• Gardening

• For Parents

GET INTO HEALTHY SNACKING

 
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fast fun fuel

Look for the healthy snack vending machines at Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PF&R) facilities across the City. Twenty locations now offer healthy snacks, as part of a pilot project to promote healthy eating habits. All other vending machines in PF&R facilities offer some healthy snack choices.

Healthy snacks are a great way to help meet nutrient needs. Next time you crave a snack after participating in a recreation program, reach for a healthy choice. Active living and healthy eating go hand-in-hand!

What you can expect to see
Toronto Public Health has developed nutritional criteria for healthy snacks based on levels of vitamins, minerals, fibre, fat, sugar and salt. Healthy snacks may include grain-based bars and snacks, dried or canned fruit, cereal and baked chips. Eight refrigerated vending machines offer additional healthy snack choices.

Look for healthy snack vending machines at these locations:


View Parks, Forestry and Recreation facilities with healthy snack vending in a larger map

Please note that 100% healthy snack vending facility locations are subject to change.

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MARKETS

Looking for information on Farmer's markets in Toronto? Check out www.toronto.ca/events/markets.htm for a listing.

For $12-$32 per basket, you can receive a wide assortment of vegetables and fruit delivered to a neighbourhood drop-off site, up to twice a month. Ontario grown products are chosen whenever possible. A newsletter offering nutrition and food preparation tips is included. Check out www.foodshare.net/goodfoodbox01.htm, call 416-392-6653 or e-mail: gfbox@foodshare.net

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RECIPES

The Toronto Public Health website features monthly recipes that focus on fruits and vegetables. Check it out at www.toronto.ca/health/vf/vf_recipes.htm

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COOKING CLASSES

For a directory of vegetarian cooking classes in Toronto go to: www.veg.ca/directory/cooking.html

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GARDENING

Growing your own garden or participating in a community garden is a great way to have fun, save money, eat healthy and benefit from physical activity. For information on community gardening in Toronto, go to www.foodshare.net/garden02.htm or www.foodshare.net/

The Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs offers drop-in programs, community events, hands-on gardening and other fun activities geared towards children and families. http://www.toronto.ca/parks/programs/gardening.htm

The School Food Garden Project is a partnership between Toronto Public Health and FoodShare supporting development of food gardens in elementary and secondary schools in Toronto. View a map of The School Food Garden Project gardens.

Community Garden manual provides ideas about community gardening for those wanting to start a garden in their community. http://www.torontohousing.ca/webfm_send/183

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FOR PARENTS

Toronto Public Health provides a number of downloadable PDF's with information for parents about encouraging healthy eating habits as a well as tips for positive parental role modelling. Info can be found at www.toronto.ca/health/children/healthy_weights.htm

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