Healthy food at two schools

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 386, 14 May 1991, Page 7

Healthy food at two schools

BY

KATE

LOURIE,

DENTAL THERAPIST Both Ohakune and Raetihi now have a school canteen operating one day a week, providing the children with a great variety of healthy attractive food and drinks at a reasonable cost. The school canteen programme was introduced by Heartbeat New Zealand a branch of the New Zealand Heart

Foundation with the support of the Department of health. These programmes were started as a direct result of surveys carried out throughout New Zealand, revealing that over 50% of our children were obese and had related health problems. School canteens are a means of trying to prevent the high incidence of heart disease in adults, a result of obe-

sity and incorrect dietary habits. The aim of the school canteen is to provide children with a choice of foods low in salt sugar and fat content, a practical way of reinforcing the efforts of teachers in nutrition education. With the cooperation of teachers it is encouraging children to be aware of the food they are buying and eating and to expect value for their money. All this has been made possible by the fantastic efforts of a canteen committee from both schools. These ladies give their time and effort willingly in the interests of the pupils. Please give your support to your school canteen by helping your children to" grab a bite that's right" and in doing so, knowing you are helping your school in a very real financial way. School canteen The Raetihi school heartbeat canteen is being run by the PTA as a fundraiser for the school and parents are going along on Fridays to prepare the lunches. The new canteen started on 19 April and is proving very popular with children and staff alike.