New SAKGF initiative will bring positive food messages to wider Victorian community

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF) is delighted to be leading an exciting new community-focused initiative on behalf of the Victorian Government as part of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures strategy.

Launched late last week, SAKGF’s new dedicated workforce of Healthy Kids Advisors expands and strengthens the Foundations vision to see children form positive food habits for life.

“We will be working within the community to increase the take-up of healthy food and drink options — never forgetting that healthy should also mean delicious,” SAKGF founder Stephanie Alexander AO said. 

The Foundation has been spreading this message for 20 years across all educational settings from the early years through to high school, and is excited to expand on existing work and ideas and take positive messages through to the whole community. 

Healthy Kids Advisors will take the Foundation’s vision outside of the school gate so that children are surrounded by healthy food wherever they go in the community, including:

• outside school hours care
• sports clubs
• recreation facilities
• council operated facilities, such as libraries and neighbourhood houses.

Through providing hands on support to decision makers at those facilities the Foundation’s Healthy Kids Advisors will support good health and guide organisations through simple, achievable steps to reach their healthy food and drink goals.

The initiative has tremendous support from a prestigious line up of speakers and partners including:

• Mr Josh Bull MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Health
• Todd Harper – CEO, Cancer Council Victoria
• Jen Sainsbury – General Manager — Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative, Stephanie
• Alexander Kitchen Garden
• Rachael Longeri – Team Leader, Sunraysia Community Health.

“We are delighted to have the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation lead this important initiative,” Mr Bull said. 

“The Foundation’s experience in co-creating and implementing grassroots initiatives that engage the community will ensure the Healthy Kids Advisors make a positive contribution to child health and wellbeing.”

Advisors will engage with communities in 13 local government areas, responding to the needs of families and supporting communities to participate in Vic Kids Eat Well, which is led by the Cancer Council Victoria in partnership with Nutrition Australia.  

“We want to make choosing fresh, healthy and delicious food the norm. By harnessing the power of community and taking simple steps together, we can create change to give all kids across Victoria the healthy start they deserve,” Ms Alexander said in closing.

Healthy Kids Advisors is a three-year initiative supported by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government. More information is available here.