Second helping of Italy lands on Queensland childcare menus 

Queensland Children are saying buon appetito once again, with Queensland Childcare  Services (QCCS) and the Healthy Cooking Company (HCC) welcoming a second shipment  of organic wholemeal pasta from Italy.  

The 4.5 tonne delivery contains enough Bioitalia pasta for 75,000 serves and follows a  successful first shipment which saw the HCC cook 50,000 pasta serves in the past six  months.  

HCC first looked to Italy after struggling to secure suitable high quality and healthy  wholemeal pasta in Australia. The meals have since won over families, who are placing  online orders for home each week. 

QCCS General Manger Laura Faalili said the second shipment showed healthy choices  could still earn rave reviews from even the smallest of diners. 

“Children have embraced the pasta, and families are choosing the meals at home too, which  tells us we have found something both nourishing and genuinely enjoyed,” Ms Faalili said. 

“Through family style dining and programs such as Veggie Fun and Taste the Rainbow, we  make healthy food fun and help children build confidence with new flavours, colours and  textures.” 

In feedback from centres, respondents said the spiral pasta and macaroni varieties were enjoyed as much or more than the previous shipment. One centre summed it up simply  as: “Luv Luv Luv this pasta.” 

Made in Sarno near Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Bioitalia’s certified organic whole wheat pasta, is  traceable from sowing to the finished product, aligning with HCC’s focus on quality and  responsible sourcing. 

HCC Operations Manager and Executive Chef Shannon Griffin said the second shipment  would keep the popular pasta dishes on QCCS menus and available for families to order. 

“Wholemeal pasta is not always an easy sell with little ones, so it has been fantastic to see  children tuck in and ask for more,” Mr Griffin said. 

“Importing 4.5 tonnes from Italy takes careful planning, but the response from centres and  families shows the effort is worth it. With another 75,000 serves ready to go, there are plenty  more pasta parties ahead.” 

Queensland Childcare Services (QCCS) is a privately owned and operated company which  provides early childhood education to children in Southeast Queensland. Established in 1991,  QCCS is one of Australia’s leading providers of high quality, individualised care and education  of young children. 

QCCS is committed to the implementation of the National Early Years Learning Framework  and operates an Emergent Curriculum. An Emergent Curriculum is largely based around the  interests of a child or group of children. As a child shows interest in a topic or activity, our  educators facilitate this interest by providing resources and materials to help guide their  learning, exploration and discovery. 

Our first and foremost important goal is to inspire delight, curiosity and inquiry in the  classroom. These are the greatest gifts our teachers can give a child. 

About Healthy Cooking Company 

Founded in 2012 by a QCCS co-founder, the Healthy Cooking Company remains dedicated  to producing meal options that are free from artificial colours and flavours, and low in sodium  and refined sugar. It’s integration into QCCS’ statewide curriculum is complemented by  initiatives such as Veggie Fun and Taste the Rainbow, which nurture children’s sensory skills  and enthusiasm for nutritious foods.  

To learn more about the Healthy Cooking Company, visit healthycookingcompany.com.au