Kiwi kids top of the class with healthy eating

Primary schools are being encouraged to sign their classes up for a new free pilot programme that combines the expertise of the Heart Foundation and New Zealand’s biggest grocery retailer.

Foodstuffs’ Food for Thought Education Trust has embarked on a unique collaboration with The Heart Foundation’s Heart Start programme. The initiative will see schools nationwide implementing new interactive health and nutritional education courses that aim to improve the health of the community.

With the support of Foodstuffs and the Ministry of Health these programmes are able to be provided to schools for free.

Foodstuffs managing director Steve Anderson says, “It is our aim to see every primary school in the country sign up for these programmes. They are designed specifically for the New Zealand school curriculum, cost very little to implement and are backed by leading authorities in health, nutrition and education.”

Through the Food for Thought programme, schools are provided with free, curriculum linked resources. Qualified nutritionists teach children the importance of a balanced diet; reading and understanding nutritional information panels; and how to prepare healthy meals. Children have the opportunity to visit the supermarket to purchase ingredients for a healthy class lunch, which they then make back at the classroom.

“We are delighted that Foodstuffs’ Food For Thought programme allows schools to achieve four out of the five units of The Heart Foundation’s new Heart Start schools programme,” says Mr Anderson.

“This partnership will increase the reach of our healthier food and lifestyle messages to more Kiwi kids and ultimately help future generations make better choices.”

The collaboration complements The Heart Foundation’s Heart Start programme that is partially funded by the Ministry of Health. Heart Start, which launched last month, is designed to build heart healthy school environments by teaching students the importance of nutrition and physical activity.

Heart Foundation CEO, Tony Duncan says, “We are very excited about the Food for Thought collaboration. The initiative works in a smart way with industry partners to increase the number of children who can benefit.”

Health Minister, Tony Ryall is enthusiastic about the partnership, saying, “This is a great example of the private and public sector working together to achieve benefits for the health of the nation. Creating healthy school environments that reward and encourage healthy food and lifestyle choices for Kiwi kids is key to creating a healthy future for all New Zealanders.”

To give your school the opportunity to take advantage of this free programme, please contact Stephanie Feldbrugge at Stephanie.feldbrugge@foodstuffs-si.co.nz.