THE first school in Ballarat to take part in an initiative aimed at promoting healthy food and drinks has won big in the program\u2019s first awards intake.<\/p>\n
Mount Rowan Secondary College\u2019s staff and students were involved in the regional launch of the Vic Kids Eat Well program last year, with their efforts netting them two of the 10 wins.<\/p>\n
With the recipients chosen out of 45 community nominees, Mount Rowan principal Seona Murnane said the awards highlighted the school\u2019s achievements through the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s bringing more awareness around what we\u2019re doing in terms of healthy eating for students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe payoff is we\u2019ll have healthier kids and more information sharing with families around what we\u2019ve done here.<\/p>\n
Staff and students took from the school\u2019s vegetable garden in delivering healthier options at Mount Rowan\u2019s canteen, which Ms Murnane said set the school apart in their approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives us another opportunity to talk about where the food has come from and to talk about seasonal food,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also works as a visual for the students to see how it\u2019s grown and get their hands dirty working in the garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year we were having special lunches with maybe a different theme each week. Now, the food is always there so it\u2019s become about getting more regular access to these healthier foods.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mount Rowan took top place in the schools category for the Big Bite Award, with nominees having completed one or more of the program\u2019s larger undertakings.<\/p>\n
The school\u2019s food tech and canteen assistants Chloe Hewitt and Jody Burgess were the Special Acknowledgement Awards\u2019 Community Champion winners for their efforts in delivering the program.<\/p>\n
Ms Murnane said their canteen staff\u2019s win acknowledged their commitment to the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe difference with them is they\u2019ve really got the passion and enthusiasm to really get into it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been great to see them learn about the program and work with Ballarat Community Health and getting excited about delivering healthy food.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Vic Kids Eat Well initiative has been delivered through Cancer Council\u2019s Achievement Program in partnership with Nutrition Australia\u2019s healthy eating advisory service, with funding from the State Government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE first school in Ballarat to take part in an initiative aimed at promoting healthy food and drinks has won big in the program\u2019s first awards intake. Mount Rowan Secondary College\u2019s staff and students were involved in the regional launch of the Vic Kids Eat Well program last year, with their efforts netting them two […]<\/p>\n