Staff, families and children at Loch Primary School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), Nyora Primary School OSHC, Wonthaggi Primary School YMCA OSHC and Bass Valley Primary School are all smiles after receiving recognition for their work in Vic Kids Eat Well.
Vic Kids Eat Well is an exciting new state-wide movement that’s focused on boosting healthy food and drink options in the places children spend their time, including schools, outside school hours care, sports clubs, recreation facilities and council operated facilities.
There is a growing body of research showing that eating a healthy and nutritious diet can improve mental health, enhance cognitive skills like concentration and memory, and improve academic performance.
Vic Kids Eat Well is supported by the Victorian Government and is delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with Nutrition Australia. It is implemented locally by the South Coast Prevention Team (Health Promotion workforce of Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service and South Gippsland Hospital).
There are 18 schools and OSHC programs across Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires now part of the exciting new movement. The South Coast Prevention Team provide on-the-ground health promotion support to review menus and help local schools and OSHC select simple swaps as part of the initiative.
Loch Primary School OSHC are a school council run not-for-profit program who have taken simple steps to create a healthier food and drink environment. The program refreshed its menu by modifying existing items and adding new items, including fruit smoothies, home-made muesli bars filled with oats and fruit, mini sausage rolls using lean mince and grated vegetables, fried rice using brown rice and packed with vegetables, and apple and oat muffins using wholemeal flour.
They also introduced a voting system, where kids can have their say on new menu items. Loch Primary School OSHC celebrated the wins along the way with vouchers. Schools and OSHC are eligible to receive rewards as they implement healthy changes through the Vic Kids Eat Well initiative.
Gippsland Southern Health Service Chief Executive Officer Lou Sparkes congratulated the local schools and OSHC on their successes.
“Well done to local schools and outside school hours care programs that have made positive change to their food and drink environment through their involvement in Vic Kids Eat Well,” Ms Sparkes said.
“You are helping to set the foundations for our kids to have a healthy start to life."
By harnessing the power of community and taking simple steps together, Vic Kids Eat Well can create change to give local kids the healthy start they deserve. Register today by visiting www.vickidseatwell.health.vic.gov.au and be supported by a member of the South Coast Prevention Team. For more information contact prevention@basscoasthealth.org.au.