Language Matters: Promoting positive food environments with neutral food language Webinar Highlights and Recording

What is food neutrality, and why does it matter? Food neutrality is about treating all foods as equal, free from value-based labels like “good” or “bad,” “healthy” or “unhealthy.” This approach shifts the focus away from judgment and fosters a more inclusive, balanced perspective on eating—especially in educational settings.

In a recent webinar hosted by Nourish Nova Scotia, experts explored how embracing food neutrality can transform schools and childcare spaces. Dive into the webinar recording to discover how this concept is being brought to life, or check out our Food Literacy Lead, Sarah Keyes’s recap to learn more about two inspiring projects helping educators adopt neutral food language.

• What does food neutrality mean? 

Believing all food is equal and removing value-based judgments from it (good/bad, healthy/unhealthy)

• What does food neutrality look like in practice?

 E.g., Using actual names of food;

Letting kids pick what they want to eat first; 

Approaching food with senses, etc. (as opposed to talking about how many nutrients are in some foods vs. others). 

CELEBRATE Feeding pilot project

• What is responsive feeding? 

Appropriate response from a caregiver to a child’s communicated feelings of hunger and fullness

Recognizes and supports the development of a child’s sense of autonomy, confidence, and self-regulation skills

Includes exposure to a variety of foods, in a safe and supportive environment – without the pressure to eat

• The pilot coached educators at Early Childhood Learning Centres and provided physical resources to help them take this approach in the centres they worked in (overview at 26 min mark). 
• The educators and staff set goals related to responsive feeding such as doing family-style meals, allowing kids to serve themselves, sitting with them at mealtime, diversifying the menu, getting kids to eat themselves, etc.
• They evaluated the impact of the intervention, and all educators who participated said it helped them take a responsive approach to feeding (among other things), which highlights the importance of training to support best practice implementation.

Stepping Stones Preschool and Child Care Centre wrapped up the presentations, sharing how the Celebrate Feeding intervention has positively impacted their program in many meaningful ways, including:

• Meal times are calmer
• Children look forward to meals
• Less food waste is produced
• Children participate in meaningful conversations
• Quality of care is enhanced