Nutrition Program
Enables every student to thrive on a cellular level. This program meets and exceeds the HWDSB/HWCDSB nutrition standards/policy. Raw Roots offers the students certified organic, local as much as possible, plant-based, and vegan-friendly smoothies. All smoothies are free from gluten, dairy, preservatives, MSG, refined sugars, artificial colours/flavours, and pesticides/chemicals. Together we can take the steps to build a more sustainable planet by using compostable materials, eating a more plant-based diet, and supporting local produce farms. Eating and consuming a more plant-based diet greatly reduces the amount of water wasted and emissions/fossil fuels burned in our environment.
Raw Roots will give every student the keys and tools to excel academically and thrive emotionally and physically. Recent research suggests that plant-based diets alkalize the body and blood stream which helps to prevent cancers, dementia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity etc.
By providing students with regular access to nutritious foods this program will contribute to short-term and long-term cognitive ability, the growth and development of the body and mind, a healthy immune system, healthy energy levels, appropriate classroom behaviours, and social inclusion among peers. These smoothies will introduce the students to a lifelong knowledge of nutrition and eating real food. This program acts as a fund raising incentive for the schools themselves while the students enjoy wholesome vital nutrition, without requiring them to go door to door or pressure family and friends to buy anything.
Over the course of a calendar school year these profits are astronomical! These profits can fund new gym equipment, school supplies, trips, and graduation costs while providing the students with essential nutrients. These smoothies are completely raw meaning none of the ingredients are baked, barbequed, broiled, grilled, microwaved, poached, roasted, steamed, or stir-fried. They are virtually fat-free; any fat content in them are healthy fats that our bodies recognize, need, and utilize efficiently. They are free from unnatural, artificial sodium, and sugar that our bodies do not need. All of the plants’ beneficial live enzymes, micronutrients, essential nutrients, and phytochemicals are contained within Raw Roots!
Standard of Integrity
Raw Roots has a high standard of integrity. We are committed to using raw, certified organic, local as much as possible, chemical/pesticide free, and artificial colour/flavour free ingredients. There is no added sodium or sugar to enhance the flavours of our products. Raw Roots uses reverse osmosis water in all smoothies. Reverse osmosis is a purification system for water that removes impurities in the water such as lead, sodium, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, and fluoride which ensures the highest quality smoothie. Removing these pollutants from our water is important because they can cause high blood pressure, infertility, brain damage, muscle atrophy, heart disease, nervous system damage, and immune system failure. Raw Roots guarantees organic, eco-friendly, and loving service every time.
Food Safety The Health Protection and Promotion Act summarizes the public health requirements for any facility which supplies and serves food to the public. These requirements are to be implemented in a school setting. The Health Protection and Promotion Act requires the operator of the kitchen on site to have Food Handler Training Certificate. Raw Roots school program runs using safe food handling practices in accordance with the Health Protection and Protection Act (HPPA). Food Handler Training Certificates are present and up-to-date. Raw Roots processing facility is approved by a Public Health Inspector and is found to meet the Public Health Standards. Smoothies are made to order and are prepared the morning of smoothie day. First, all employees as Raw Roots put on a hair net, wash their hands according to the correct hand washing procedure and put on a pair of clean eco-friendly latex gloves. All organic produce is washed thoroughly before the making of the smoothies. Refrigerators (4ºC) and freezers (-18ºC) are up to code and have easy to see thermometers. Temperatures are maintained according to the Public Health code. Upon delivery, smoothies will be packed into coolers with ice packs, thermometers and delivered using safe shipping practices Smoothie Packaging and Distribution The smoothie cups are 100% compostable and recyclable. Each student will receive their smoothie in one of these cups with a compostable/recyclable lid.
Each smoothie will be labelled with smoothie name, ingredients, name of student and classroom. The smoothies will be placed in a cooler to bring to the school on smoothie day; each cooler will be labeled based on the classroom to be distributed to. These coolers will be taken after the distribution of the smoothies. The smoothie bottles come with a sealed lid and are 100% recyclable. Be sure that the kids are taught proper recycling habits and that the bottles and lids are placed in the recycling bins after consumption. For more information as well as menu and order forms, please download our full PDF brochure.