• If students are admitted to Alberta Children's Hospital as an inpatient, meals will be provided by the hospital. 
  • Students attending outpatient programs such as, CDTP or Rehabilitation are required to bring their lunches. 
  • Eating disorder students will have a planned meal program planned by their Alberta Health Services team.

Lunchtime Hours & Supervision

For CDTP and Rehabilitation students lunch time is from 12:00 – 1:00. This is a supervised time for all students.

Allergies

Please inform CBE and Alberta Health Services staff of any known allergies. For more information on allergies and/or other health concerns visit our Illness & Medical page. 

​​​​​Home-Packed Lunch Tips for Parents

Lunch is an important part of your child’s day at school. Here are some tips to help you provide a lunch that is safe and nutritious with less waste. 

Food Safety

  • Keep cold food cold by using an insulated lunch bag and 1-2 ice packs.
  • Keep hot food hot by using an insulated container. Preheat your container with boiling water before adding hot food. Microwave ovens are not available for elementary students.
  • Pack non-perishables, such as granola bars and whole fruit, that can be kept at room temperature. 
  • Most CBE schools are nut-aware, please check with your child’s teacher for more information on nut allergies and other allergies in your child’s classroom. 

Help Reduce Waste  

  • Bring a reusable water bottle.  
  • Pack just enough for a child to eat during lunch.  
  • Many schools participate in “boomerang lunches” (pack in/pack out), where all leftover items are returned home. 

Tip: Pack a sealable bag or container labeled ‘garbage’ for uneaten food or open containers to avoid mess in the lunch bag.

In 2024, ten CBE schools participated in a waste audit conducted by Green Calgary. Here are a few suggestions from the audit to help minimize waste produced by packed lunches: 

  • Send less selections of food. Younger children have difficulty deciding what to eat when there is a lot of choice and sometimes end up not eating. 
  • When possible, use reusable containers for foods such as crackers and cut up fruits or vegetables.

Other Tips 

  • Make sure your child can open all packages by themselves.
  • Involve your child in packing their lunch. Children involved in food preparation may be more likely to try new foods and eat what is packed, minimizing food waste.
  • Aim to include a food from each food group – lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily (as per Canada’s Food Guide 2019). 
  • Some items, such as sandwiches, can be made ahead and frozen to save time. Note that some fillings such as fresh vegetables do not freeze well. 
  • Designate a shelf in the fridge/pantry at home for lunch items. This may help make packing lunches quicker and encourage independence for children packing their own lunches. 

References 

Back to School Lunches for Children | AHS Blog 

Keeping School Lunches Safe

Canada's Food Guide 

Safe Food Practices at Home