École François Buote takes dessert, processed foods off the menu
New school menu focuses on fresh and local
A P.E.I. school has revamped its cafeteria menu with the help of a Red Seal chef.
Chef Pierre El Hajjar, who previously worked at a five-star hotel in the Middle East, partnered with the P.E.I. Healthy Eating Alliance to change the menu at École François Buote.
El Hajjar got rid of all processed packaged products, uses local ingredients whenever possible, and cooks healthy meals low in salt, sugar and saturated fats.
"I changed all the menu and I tried to use local food and vegetables. It's a bit expensive but it works," he said.
"If you give them the choice to use what they eat, they choose more vegetables. You know, this is our future. If we don't teach them what to eat or how to choose, this is our future."
El Hajjar said he's on a mission to teach kids about healthy eating while they're young. He also offers gluten-free, dairy-free and meat-free options. The school no longer offers desserts.
The Healthy Eating Alliance is awarding École François Buote with the Pear Award for outstanding nutrition education and healthy initiatives.