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Leftovers Again! BMO Says Locally Grown Foods Make a Lunch for Students!
  • The agriculture sector employs one in eight Canadians, and accounts for 8.1 per cent of total GDP
  • Canada is the world's 4th largest agriculture exporter and 6th largest importer, accounting for a combined $65 billion in global trade
  • Local farmers' markets are responsible for over $1 billion in sales and have a total economic effect of over $3 billion

TORONTO, OCTOBER 14, 2010 BMO Bank of Montreal today encouraged parents to support local farmers and choose locally produced foods for the children's lunches this harvest season and throughout the school year.

“With nearly 200 lunches to pack each year, parents are always looking for ways to meet their children's nutritional needs and our local farmers produce everything we need to come up with healthy, tasty and interesting ideas that meet The Canada Food Guide recommendations,” said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal.   

For over 48 years, The Canada Food Guide has encouraged Canadians to adopt healthy eating practices and has offered practical tips about meeting daily nutritional needs for all age groups, including children, teens, adults and seniors.  This guide emphasizes the importance of developing healthy eating patterns by choosing from the four food groups:  vegetables and fruit, grain products, the milk group, and meat and alternatives.

Tips for Helping Young Children Eat Healthy from Canada's Food Guide

  • Be a positive role model for children -  they will be more likely to enjoy a variety of foods and try new foods if you do
  • Prepare meals that include foods from each of the four groups
  • One Food Guide Serving can be divided up into smaller amounts and served throughout the day
  • Make sure to offer children a total of two cups of milk every day
  • Make time for healthy eating so that children don't feel rushed
  • Set regular times for meals and snacks
  • Let children help with simple food-related tasks.  Ask them to help wash the dishes

BMO's roots in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when it first began working with farmers.    BMO Bank of Montreal provides customized loan and deposit solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves.  

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For news media inquiries, please contact:

Paul Cunliffe, Toronto, paul.cunliffe@bmo.com, 416-867-3996

Laurie Grant, Vancouver, laurie.grant@bmo.com, 604-665-7596

Ron Monet, Montreal, ronald.monet@bmo.com, 514-877-1873