Did you know that how we teach and talk to children about food and nutrition can have a significant and lasting impact on their mental health and eating behaviours? This presentation will look at some past approaches for teaching and talking about food and nutrition and why we are shifting to a strength based, trauma informed, equity centered and culturally inclusive approach. We will explore the “Teach Food First” toolkit (developed by the Ministry of Health and BCCDC), which is designed to equip K-8 educators with tools and resources to support a food exploration approach to learning about food, nutrition and Canada’s Food Guide.  You will walk away from this presentation with best practice approaches that help children learn about food, and have positive relationships with both food and their bodies.