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Ontario’s healthy food policies are proving unpopular with students and taking their toll on school board coffers, with Ottawa and Toronto schools both reporting million-dollar drop in cafeterias sales.

The Ottawa-Carleton School Board estimates a loss of $900,000 in cafeteria revenue, while Toronto District School Board is forecasting a $1.2-million shortfall. The Greater Essex County District School Board in Windsor, which gets a commission from a private operator, has projected a $95,000 loss in revenue.

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Premier Dalton McGuinty said he understands school board concerns, but both public and private cafeterias need to be more creative with their menu options.

“We put a man on the moon 40 years ago. Don’t tell me that we can’t make healthy, delicious, tasty, attractive food for teenagers in the province of Ontario in 2012,” he said in a press conference last month.

Under the provincial policy enacted last fall, schools have had to do away with high fat or deep fried foods such as french fries in favour of fruits and vegetables. Menu options must also be low in sugar, trans fat and sodium.