Margaret River Community Centre for Children gets Healthway funding for nutrition pilot

Margaret River Community Centre for Children has received $44,262 in Healthway funding to pilot a nutrition education program called ‘Local Eats’ to increase children’s early provision, exposure, acceptance and knowledge of vegetables.

 

The funding will be used to develop child-friendly vegetable garden beds and deliver evidence-based education and training for staff and families at the centre. Early childhood staff, parents, and caregivers will also be able to learn about the value of vegetables in children’s diet through lunchbox planning, shopping tips and meal ideas.

 

The project is a collaboration with the Edith Cowan University Public Health team (ECU) and will be led by the local community and childcare centre staff.

 

Key partners include the Edith Cowan University Public Health team (ECU), the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Nutrition Australia, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden, Town Team Movement, Margaret River Fresh Produce and Margaret River Bunnings. Shannon Prideaux will coordinate the project.

 

Ms Prideaux believes that establishing good eating habits in childhood is essential to support children to form habits that will positively impact health across the lifespan. 

 

Healthway CEO Ralph Addis congratulated Margaret River Community Centre on receiving funding, saying that early childhood education and care (ECEC) services “play a significant role in optimising a child’s developmental and health outcomes, which includes promoting healthy eating habits.”

 

For more information on the project, visit www.healthway.wa.gov.au