Baker Lake (June 23/03) - Kids in Arviat and Baker Lake could be saying no to junk food this year to benefit their schools.

Buying a healthy snack at the Northern stores in those hamlets will earn points for the schools.

The points will then be turned into cash that can be used at the Northern stores.

"The schools can buy anything they want at the stores," said Allen Hart, Northern store manager in Baker.

The Healthy Living Rewards program kicked off in May in seven Nunavut communities and one in the NWT.

Hart said it is still too early to tell if the program will be a success or not, but added it has been supported by both schools in Baker Lake.

"We introduced it to the schools and starting in August they will be helping us promote it," he said.

The products that qualify under the program are those that are low in fat, low in sugar and high in fibre.

Hart said qualifying items are all clearly marked on the shelves.

"There are lots of products that are healthier living," he said.

Hart thinks the program is a great idea to help promote a healthier lifestyle. He added he sees a lot of the snack choices made by children in his community and they are buying a lot of junk food.

Reversing that trend will improve health and prevent disease.

"A lot of our communities have high cases of diabetes," said Hart.

Steve Handspiker, principal at Levi Angmak elementary in Arviat, is interested in the test program.

However, he said he has been so wrapped up in finishing the school year he hasn't had a chance to review the material.

But, he added there is a need to encourage better eating habits and provide healthy foods to students in Arviat.

"There is a definite need to look at nutrition in our schools," said Handspiker.

Points from the reward program will be earned based on a sales percentage increase of healthier living products compared to the previous year.

Schools and communities will receive monthly updates and will be able to redeem their points in January 2004.

The Northwest company is treating the program as a test project and have stated the key to its success is support from the community.