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Healthy Kids Advisors have strong showing in Vic Kids Eat Well awards
Freya Lucas
Mar 31, 2023
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Healthy Kids Advisors from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF) initiative have been strongly represented in the first state-wide Vic Kids Eat Well awards.
The Vic Kids Eat Well awards celebrate efforts made by Victorian outside school hours care (OSHC) services, schools, sports clubs and community organisations that are making efforts to boost healthy food and drink options available for children.In the OSHC space, Big Childcare Heathdale Christian College in Melton was auto-nominated for rethinking their menu with their advisor, Maryann Barsoum, adding milk and alternatives for breakfast and afternoon tea.
Mildura’s Red Cliffs East After School Care, supported by advisor Tara Martin, have made notable changes to healthy eating by offering vegetables and fruit every day, cutting out sugary drinks and baking savoury muffins with the children to keep them engaged and interested in tasty, healthy snacks. “In cooperation with Sunraysia Community Health Services and our healthy kids advisor, Tara Martin, we’ve been able to change our afternoon snack menu to reflect healthier choices for children in our service,” said Alina Meyer, OSHC Coordinator at Red Cliffs East.
“Tara has supported us all the way and has provided great recipes where children can be actively involved in preparing food to encourage children to take the initiative and ownership of what they eat.”
The OSHC at Athol Road Primary School in Springvale has swapped its after-school menu items with tastier, wholesome versions stacked with vegetables and home-grown produce from their sprawling gardens.
Each week the students choose the menu, and senior students cook the items with their SAKGF Advisor and serve it to their peers. Recently, they've whipped up Vietnamese rice paper rolls, pesto pasta, chilli con carne and guacamole as part of their healthy eating initiative.
In the schools space Branxholme-Wallacedale Community School and The Hamilton & Alexandra College were nominated by the SAKGF Advisor in the Southern Grampians, Monique Sobey, for their impressive commitment to reinvigorating their school with community-minded, student-led food celebrations and healthy adjustments.
St Mary's Primary School, Katandra West Primary School and Kialla West Primary School were also nominated. In the sports clubs and community and council-run facilities category Springvale Library was recognised for its impressive menu transformation, while Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (HILAC) in the Southern Grampians was noted for embracing the opportunity to change its café. Verve Café Aquamoves in Shepparton also received an auto nomination for significantly boosting the fruit and vegetables on their menu and minimising their fried food offerings. For more information visit the Healthy Kids Advisors news page or email hka@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
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