Kids’ health on the menu

A NEW initiative will be rolled out in the City of Greater Bendigo to encourage children and families to eat and drink healthier.

The Healthy Kids Advisors program will be led by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation on behalf of the Victorian Government.

The three-year initiative will see advisors working with community organisations, health and food agencies and local governments in 13 municipalities, including Greater Bendigo, Buloke, Colac Otway, and Greater Shepparton.

General manager for Healthy Kids Advisors, Jen Sainsbury, said advisors will engage with stakeholders, advocates, parents and carers, schools and young people to lean what changes communities wish to see.

“We have assembled a team of excellent advisors from a wide range of backgrounds, from an ex-Olympian to an off-grid farmer to a professional chef, we have a team of community development experts in place who are ready to support local efforts,” she said.

“Right now, we are working with our local partners to finalise our community-based implementation strategies and to really make sure that the Healthy Kids Advisors effort is aligned with the work of local health promotion experts and community members.”

She said people can expect to see advisors liaising with community forums, local organisations, and schools to help support work that has already begun.

The initiative is formed under the Vic Kids Eat Well movement started by the State Government, which targets schools, after school care, sports clubs, recreation facilities and community and council-operated facilities to increase children’s access to healthy food and drink options.