7 easy strategies for promoting healthy eating in your school

The battle to get kids to eat the right food is nothing new. With slick advertising, sneaky supermarket product placement and packaging, it’s probably only getting harder.  Only 6 per cent of school-aged children meet the guidelines for the recommended number of serves of both fruit and vegetables in 2017-18. Schools are doing their part to try and turn this around.

Some state regulations apply to the sale of food and drinks in the school canteen. For example, in NSW, the Healthy School Canteens Strategy regulates which food and drink can be sold in government schools. Some schools have adopted a traffic light system, where ‘green’ foods are healthy and are for every day. Amber foods are occasional and red foods, such as soft drinks are discouraged from sale.

The government’s healthy food guidelines recommend kids enjoy a wide variety of foods from these five food groups:

• fruit
• vegetables, legumes and beans
• cereals (including bread, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain
• lean meat, fish, poultry or alternatives
• milk, yoghurts, cheeses or alternatives

So, how can a school canteen successfully provide delicious, nourishing food and turn a profit? Here are seven tips for success.

1) Developing a whole school food policy

Every school is unique. Families of different cultural backgrounds and incomes make up the school community. That’s why one national policy doesn’t fit all. One school canteen may have success with providing lentil burgers, while another may baulk at the idea.

So, involving pupils and parents in guiding food policy and practice is the best way of achieving success when it comes to healthy eating.

• Trial and gather feedback on healthy and culturally diverse foods and drinks
• Present healthy foods and drinks in attractive and appetizing ways
• Promote your healthy menu items to the school community via posters, noticeboards, school announcements, newsletter articles and the school website.

2) Providing clean, cool-water fountains

One in fourteen school-aged children drink soft drinks or sweetened fruit juice daily. This increases their risk of tooth decay, obesity and imbalances in energy. Long term, they’re at risk of obesity.

Primary school children need to drink over a litre of water every day. Kids in high school should be drinking over two litres of water. In hot weather or if they’re active, they need to drink even more. Signs of, dehydration are headaches, constipation and lightheadedness.

By placing plenty of water ‘bubblers’ around the school, kids are more likely to use them on the go. They’re more likely to like the taste if the water is chilled. It’s also important to keep water fountains clear of birds and leaves. Especially in the unpredictable times of COVID, clean water bubblers have been put under the spotlight.

By making water easily accessible, tasty and appealing, kids are more likely to drink.

3) Cooking classes

Kids love cooking. Hand them a knife to cut a carrot and their enthusiasm skyrockets. Parents could be asked to lead a lesson, cooking something easy that’s from a particular cultural background. If in luck, an ingredient from the garden could be used.

A trip to the canteen to use their facilities can reinforce all the good foods available.

4) Developing a school vegetable garden

School projects have shown that children involved in growing, picking and cooking vegetables are more likely to eat them. Herbs, such as rosemary, mint and parsley are popular and easy to grow. Parents could be encouraged to take home some herbs for their own meals.

5) Offering regular snack breaks for students to eat fruit and vegetables

Since 2005,  ‘Fruit break’ has become a daily ritual in primary schools across Australia. Canteens in these schools have come on board with this initiative by selling fruit in the mornings. And, it seems to have worked.

Encouragingly, statistics showed in 2017-18, 73 per cent of kids ate the recommended servings of fruit. That’s an increase from 70 per cent back in 2014-15. If the class are eating fruit together, and there’s no alternative, eating fruit doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.

6) Allowing students to bring their water bottles into the classroom 

If students are hydrated during lesson time, they’re less likely to quench their thirst at a vending machine during their break. It also encourages them to drink water and stay hydrated.

7) Providing a welcoming eating environment that encourages positive social interaction

The beginning of recess and lunch could be part of a structured sit-down and eat time. This way, they aren’t distracted and playing with friends instead of eating.

School newsletters can provide parents with information on positive eating practices. Healthy recipes can be donated by a family, with a photo of them sitting together and eating the meal without screens. Some schools provide breakfast in the mornings for students who miss out. This is another great opportunity for modelling healthy eating for kids who may otherwise miss out on this important lesson.

If your canteen needs commercial cooking equipment or further advice on meal preparation, get in touch with Comcater.