More veg and protein needed in preschool lunch boxes, Life Ed says

With new research showing that vegetable and protein options are all too often missing from children’s lunch boxes, Life Ed and Woolworths have partnered to encourage healthier choices.

 

The National Parents Survey 2023, commissioned by Woolworths and Life Ed, showed that despite vegetables and protein being the best source of sustained energy for children, they were often left out of lunch boxes. 

 

With preschool and school aged children soon to return to education and care, Russell D’Costa, CEO, Life Ed Australia said the Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes campaign aims to “shine a light on the food facts” and to provide practical and affordable ideas and inspiration to show parents and children what’s possible.

 

“Divide and conquer doesn’t cut it when it comes to embedding long-term learning and healthy habits,” he said. 

 

“We need to work together – inside and beyond the classroom – to give Aussie kids the fuel and tools they need to make healthy choices into the future.”

 

As an incentive, parents and carers who take a photo of their child’s healthier lunchbox will be eligible to win a share of $12,000 in prizes, including Woolworths e-gift cards and Healthy Harold vouchers. 

 

Preschools and schools who undertake education efforts with their communities can also win prizes. Judging will take place at the end of February, with winners to be announced in April.

 

As part of the Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes initiative free engaging and practical resources and activities  have been created from the team behind Life Education’s Healthy Harold work and Woolworths – including $5 lunchbox recipe ideas, tips on easy and affordable swaps, tricks like batch cooking to help ease the load, and hacks to help food stay fresh. 

 

The aim is to encourage parents, preschools and schools to work together to take a holistic approach when it comes to keeping future generations healthy.

 

“A nutritious lunch is so important for little ones to help them thrive at school and at home. As Today’s Fresh Food People, we’re focused on how we can help make healthier easier for our customers, their family and the community,” Sarah De La Mare, Woolworths Head of Community and Sponsorships explained.

 

“We also recognise that parents are busy, and coming up with lunchbox ideas and balancing the household budget can be a challenge. So this year we’ve released a number of kids lunchbox recipe ideas that come to less than $5 a serve to help make it easier for busy parents on a budget to make healthier lunchboxes.” 

 

To learn more and enter the Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes competition, visit lifeed.org.au/healthierlunchboxes