The Healthy Kids Association, supported by NSW Health, encouraged children across NSW to crunch on vegies together during The Big Vegie Crunch on May 25 at 10am, in an attempt to break the record for the most children eating vegetables simultaneously.
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The Big Vegie Crunch is part of Vegetable Week which runs from May 22 to 26, and aims to increase students’ knowledge, exposure and positive attitudes towards vegetables.
At Laurieton Public School students were keen to crunch. Their menu included cut vegetables from home, a basket of donations from Ken Little’s Fruit and Veg, and carrots grown in the school’s own garden.
According to the recent National Nutrition Survey, only 5.4 per cent of children in Australia eat enough vegetables.
The Mid North Coast Local Health District’s (MNCLHD) Health Promotion Team coordinated local sponsors Golden Dawn Coffs Harbour, Ken Little’s Fruit & Veg, Woolworths and Nutrano Produce Group to donate boxes of fresh vegetables to 30 Mid North Coast primary schools, to ensure all children have access to vegies for the event.
MNCLHD Health Promotion Officer Clinton Gibbs said the contribution from the local sponsors was a fantastic way to make the event accessible for all children.
“Some families may not be able to access fresh vegetables as easily, but that doesn’t mean children from these families should miss out on being exposed to healthy behaviours which can greatly improve their health,” Mr Gibbs said.
“The Big Vegie Crunch is a fun and positive way to encourage healthy eating.”
Watch the video from the Big Vegie Crunch at Laurieton and hear comments from a group of students on the importance of eating healthy and about their school vegie patch: