Ontario’s Policy/Program Memorandum 150—usually called PPM 150—sets nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools. It can affect cafeterias, vending machines, catered lunches, bake sales and other food sold on school property for school purposes.
Quick answer
PPM 150 governs food sold at school—not a child’s lunch from home
A catered hot-lunch program is normally covered because families purchase the food and it is delivered for a school purpose. Food packed at home or offered to students without charge is outside the policy’s nutrition standards, although allergy, safety and local school rules can still apply.
Where PPM 150 applies
The policy applies to food and beverages sold on school premises for school purposes, including through:
- cafeterias, canteens and tuck shops;
- vending machines;
- catered lunch or snack programs;
- school and classroom fundraising sales on school property;
- school events where food is sold.
The policy generally does not apply to food brought from home, food offered without charge, or food purchased during a school trip away from school property. Review the official memorandum for the complete scope and exceptions.
The 80/20 nutrition rule
PPM 150 groups products into three categories. When food is sold, at least 80 per cent of all food choices offered for sale must be in the Sell Most category. No more than 20 per cent may be in the Sell Less category. The same 80/20 calculation applies separately to beverage choices. Products classified as Not Permitted for Sale cannot be sold unless an applicable exemption is being used.
The percentages concern the choices offered, not the number of items a family orders. A vendor menu with ten food choices, for example, would ordinarily need at least eight Sell Most choices and no more than two Sell Less choices.
What school councils should check
- Ask vendors for current nutrition information for every menu item and serving size.
- Have the principal or school staff confirm the proposed menu and ordering process.
- Keep the food and beverage calculations separate when applying the 80/20 rule.
- Publish clear allergen, cancellation, refund and missed-lunch information.
- Use a privacy-conscious ordering system and collect only necessary family information.
- Document pricing, costs, revenue and the approved use of any proceeds.
- Review the menu whenever the vendor changes a recipe, portion or product.
Special-event days
A school principal may designate up to ten special-event days in a school year when food and beverages sold at school are exempt from the nutrition standards. The principal must consult the school council. These days are limited exceptions, not a substitute for a compliant regular lunch program.
What PPM 150 does not decide
PPM 150 is a nutrition policy. It does not by itself create the school’s allergy-management plan, choose a vendor, approve a contract, set fundraiser accounting rules, establish data-privacy practices or decide how volunteers handle money. Those questions require board and school procedures in addition to PPM 150.
A program can meet the 80/20 nutrition standard and still need improvement in allergen communication, affordability, accessibility, refunds, vendor oversight or financial reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Does PPM 150 control what parents pack for lunch?
No. The nutrition standards do not apply to meals or snacks brought from home. Families should still follow school-specific allergy and safety directions.
Does a school hot-lunch program have to follow PPM 150?
Normally yes, when the food is sold to families and distributed on school premises for a school purpose. The school should review the vendor’s current nutrition information rather than relying only on menu names or marketing claims.
Can a school sell treats on a special-event day?
The principal can designate up to ten exempt special-event days per school year after consulting the school council. Other safety, allergy and board requirements still apply.
Does a fundraiser automatically qualify for an exemption?
No. The location, purpose and method of sale matter. If food is sold on school property for a school purpose, the school should determine whether PPM 150 applies or whether a specific exemption has been designated.
Official Ontario guidance
- Policy/Program Memorandum 150
- Ontario school food and beverage policy overview
- Ontario school food and beverage policy guides
Related parent guides
Last reviewed August 8, 2026. Policies, vendor products and local procedures can change. Confirm the current program with the school principal.