A trans-fat-free menu at the Aréna Raymond-Bourque

The contract was awarded in the aim of launching a health initiative at the arena, whereby the facility would offer a varied menu featuring nutritious food. The new menu has been in place since mid September, and the arena no longer offers fried foods or cold cuts or foods containing trans fats. Instead, the arena serves healthier foods, including soup, sandwiches, juices and other items. Even vending machines only offer healthy snacks such as baked potato chips low in trans fats.

As such, the Raymond-Bourque arena is one of the first arenas in Quebec to be deemed “100% healthy” according to criteria set by the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport. “Even though the ministry’s policies officially apply only to educational institutions, we decided to follow them by insisting that our sports facilities implement the same regulations in the matter of food products,” stated the Mayor of Saint-Laurent, Alan DeSousa at the official opening of the snack bar held on October 22.. “We worked with dieticians to ensure that the arena serves quality meals and snacks. We believe that this initiative will meet an important need of Saint-Laurent residents.”

“As parents, we are conscientious regarding the types of food options that are presented to our children, and concerned about the ingredients of the food items offered in schools and sports facilities,” added Étienne Brouillère, President of the Club de patinage artistique de Saint-Laurent. “Consequently, we support this initiative taken by Saint-Laurent Council members, who are intent on providing a healthy future not just for our youths, but also, for their families,” he concluded.

The Family Policy action plan is the outcome of a vast strategic-planning exercise that Saint-Laurent undertook two years ago in order to identify ways to improve its service offering. Of all the projects related to this exercise, the one pertaining to the Family Policy is certainly one of those that have been most active up to now. We need only consider, for example, the major investments currently underway in various parks throughout the community, and which will continue until next spring. To this are added other projects, including the opening of the Concorde co-op and the installation of a community garden in the Place Benoit neighbourhood, this summer’s enhancement of the Ado de St-Lo guidance program for teens, and the opening of a space for use by families at the Centre des loisirs.

(Source: St. Laurent borough)