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A new movement looking to keep mockery out of lunchtime across Ontario comes just as kids across the Ottawa Valley head back to school in a couple of weeks.
According to a survey commissioned by Sistema, 1 in 4 Canadian children have experienced lunchbox shaming, something that kindergarten teacher Melissa Markus says leaves them feeling ashamed or embarrassed by their classmates simply for the food they come to school with.
Markus explains that Sistema has begun working with Ontario educators on a new initiative, Love Your Lunch Day, which encourages teachers and parents to start the conversation about food inequality and cultural differences to explain why it’s important to have an inclusive environment that values and celebrates students every September 19th.
It’s a topic that she’s broached with her students, who have been receptive to how food can be a jumping-off point for acceptance and inclusivity among one another.
Markus encourages her fellow parents and teachers to make use of the free resources pooled together for Love Your Lunch Day, which she says helps identify and respond to lunchbox shaming and lead the change with activities designed to help kids explore the root of the issue.
Parents and teachers can get started by checking out the Love Your Lunch Day website.
(written by Kasey Egan)