New options on school menu

STUDENTS at Kalianna School have ditched the party pies and the sausage rolls in favour of healthier options.

The school completed a total transformation of its canteen, collaborating with the City of Greater Bendigo’s Healthy Kids Advisor initiative.

Rob Brown, who is part of the VCAL team at Kalianna, said the project was a perfect coincidence, as the initiative came about at a time the school’s leadership team wanted to change up the canteen.

“We got rid of 29 of the 31 non-healthy options out of our cafe, we did a complete transformation,” he said.

“It’s all fresh produce, fresh salads, and 95 per cent of it is all locally grown and purchased so it’s supporting our local community.

“The two things happened at the perfect time, we were wanting to change and then I started making connections with the Healthy Kids Initiative, it was the perfect union at the perfect time.”

Gone are processed foods such as chicken tenders, chicken wings and hot dogs, replaced by fresh salad bowls and focaccias.

“We’ve got students who would devour their $5 worth of tenders, they’d have their mini pizzas, their sausage rolls, it was their staple diet every day,” Mr Brown said.

“Those kids now, they’re getting salad bowls, a toasted focaccia or a veggie snack box.”

VCAL Students work in the canteen alongside staff, building skills such as food handling, customer service, stock management, and hygiene.

Mr Brown said the healthier food options have led to children concentrating better in the classroom.

“The kids have got so much more focus, we’re not seeing the behavioural challenges or attention challenges later in the day,” he said.

“They’re able to hold their attention and energy levels all day long. A big part of that is because of the healthier food and drink they have access to.”

Bendigo’s Healthy Kids Advisor, Rebecca Fry, said the project at Kalianna highlights the benefits healthy foods can have on the wellbeing of young people.

“Sometimes it can feel overwhelming in terms of where to begin when considering changing the food and drinks offered in a school,” she said.

“I can provide that additional hands-on support to listen and understand how to add in more delicious, healthy food and drink options that are right for the individual needs of each school.”

“As the Healthy Kids Advisor for Greater Bendigo, I will continue to collaborate with families, council, and Bendigo Community Health Services to support other interested schools who want to explore the benefits of pleasurable food education or implement Vic Kids Eat Well.

“This is a free service supported by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government and funded to June 2024.”