Auckland, New Zealand, 2016-Nov-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — A nationwide education initiative that’s helping Kiwi kids make healthier food choices is celebrating a major milestone, with over 100,000 children now having taken part.
Since 2007, the Food for Thought programme has taught senior primary school students about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating, and taken them on supermarket field trips to drive the key messages home.
Food for Thought is free for schools thanks to the support of Pams and Foodstuffs New Zealand. Key elements include classroom lessons with a nutritionist and then a visit to a local PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square, Shop Rite or Write Price supermarket, so they can put theory into practice.
Food for Thought’s South Island nutritionist Reta Trotman says she’s proud to be a part of an initiative that gives kids the knowledge to make healthy choices.
“To surpass the 100,000 milestone is an exciting achievement for Food for Thought, which has already made such a difference nationwide,” says Trotman.
“The most striking thing I’ve found from talking with the students is that they all want to be healthy. So we’re teaching them how to fuel their bodies and minds properly.”
“Our students love being what we call ‘Food Detectives’, learning about healthy ingredients and how to read food labels, and I often hear from parents that their kids are now asking for more fruit and veg, eating healthier breakfasts, and no longer asking for chips in their lunch box. Schools are also telling me the changes kids make after taking part in the programme have noticeable effects on their energy levels, learning and mood.”
“That’s good for them and good for teachers and families too, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Food for Thought grow even bigger and reach every school student in New Zealand.”
Contact:
Tel: +64 4 472 6435
Fax: +64 4 472 6412
Source: Foodstuff