Foodstuffs' nutrition in schools programme reaches 100,000 kids and counting
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
"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