Coolbinia Canteen Keeps Kids Healthy
Local parents can be assured their children are eating healthy lunches with Coolbinia Primary School’s canteen being named a winner in this year’s Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week competition.
Health Department dietitian Kate O’Callaghan, said Coolbinia Primary School’s canteen had shown innovation and creativity in planning Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week activities.
“Coolbinia Primary School has taken an innovative and creative approach to planning Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week activities,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“Activities included designing a Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week menu, offering a Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week meal deal and planning a Fruit ‘n’ Veg competition.”
A record of more than 3800 primary school classes participated in this year’s Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week, which aims to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among primary school aged children.
Ms O’Callaghan said some canteens had reported a sales increase of 50 per cent on other weeks.
“This is a fantastic incentive to offer healthy items more often,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“It suggests that when healthy food is creative and presented attractively, students will choose these items.”
Prizes won by Coolbinia Primary School’s canteen include aprons, a Kids in the Kitchen cookbook and a certificate.
The Health Department encourages canteens and schools to be active in promoting healthy food to students.
For more information, canteens and schools can contact the WA School Canteen Association on Ph: 9244 1992, or purchase a copy of the Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook, which is available through newsagents.
Fruit ‘n’ Veg Week aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption of primary school-aged children in Western Australia and was held in the week of September 4 – 8, 2000.
