Northland DHB offers carrot to education sector

Northland District Health Board welcomes the Government's new Food and Beverage Classification System for schools and early childhood education services (ECEs) that was launched last week.

The classification system is part of the HEHA (Healthy Eating - Healthy Action) and ‘Mission On' initiatives - a Government strategy designed to improve New Zealand children's nutrition while also encouraging them to become more active.

"With around a third of New Zealand children's daily food intake consumed at school, the classification system highlights the important role that this environment has on improving children's learning and behaviour," said Northland DHB HEHA Development Co-ordinator, Russell Holmes.

To support the Food and Beverage Classification System and to provide practical support for schools and ECEs, funding is available through the Nutrition Fund, a nationwide fund worth $3 million annually over four years, with $149,000 available in Northland. Its aim is to help schools and ECEs to become healthier eating environments which deliver consistent, positive messages about healthy eating.

The Nutrition Fund encourages schools and ECEs to think about their whole learning environment, to work alongside other education services, and involve students and families in planning and decision-making.

"We will be looking for applications from clusters of schools and early childhood centres where possible, and for applications consistent with the Food and Nutrition for Healthy Confident Kids Guidelines," Mr Holmes said.

Application forms for the Nutrition Fund are being distributed at Food and Nutrition workshops for schools and ECEs from this week. The first round of applications will close in October 2007 and a further round of applications will be sought in April 2008.

The initial round of Nutrition Fund money - also $149,000 - is being used for relieving teaching staff so they can take part in the training workshops. These workshops will provide further information for schools and ECEs to find out more about applying for the Nutrition Fund, as well as the Food and Beverage Classification System and how to implement the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Confident Kids resource sent to them earlier this year.

The workshops will be delivered by a team of experts including a public health dietitian, curriculum advisors and Health Promoting Schools advisors.

It is also hoped that the benefits of the Classification System will extend beyond schools and early childhood centres, with food manufacturers also promising changes to their products in order to shift their foods into the ‘everyday' category.

"If the food supply chain reduces the fat, salt, sugar and portion sizes of their products, that can only be good for the health of New Zealand children," said Mr Holmes.



-Ends-


For further media information please contact:



Paula Martin

Communications Officer

Northland District Health Board

09 470 0000 (extn 3321)

021-593-502

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it



For further Nutrition Fund information please contact:



Russell Holmes

HEHA Development Co-ordinator

Northland District Health Board

021-220-8104

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it