Monday 10 March 2008

New Nutrition Funds Available for Southland Schools

Southland’s schools and early childhood education services are invited to apply for a share of at least $90,000 in the second funding round of the Nutrition Fund which closes early April, said Gemma Milne, SDHB HEHA education sector liaison.

Miss Milne said that SDHB administers Southland’s share of the nationwide fund, with support and input from Public Health South, the Heart Foundation and the University of Otago College of Education.

Over 26 Southland schools and early childhood education services received various amounts of funding in the inaugural funding round last September, with $90,000 being offered to help improve their nutrition environment.

Myross Bush School was one of the recipients last September receiving a total of $3,850 to purchase bench seating and plants to create a supportive food environment, in line with the goals of the Food and Nutrition Guidelines

Miss Milne said that the project was complemented by other initiatives that the school has been undertaking, including education around healthy eating, eliminating chocolate fundraising, limited food options at the school disco and replacing these with fluorescent wrist bands, and instigated a ‘wrapper free’ playground initiative.

“The review panel was particularly impressed by Myross Bush school's application as it clearly supported a range of other nutrition related initiatives already taking place by the school,"

"It was also clear that the community and students had been involved in developing the project concept from the beginning," Miss Milne said.

Myross Bush is currently working on the development of a Nutrition Policy which Principal Diane Paterson believes will ensure that the changes are embedded in the school practice.

With the closing date for the next funding round on 4 April 2008, Miss Milne offers some advice for potential applicants

“The review panel will be looking for applications which have plenty of student and parent involvement, and which are sustainable and build on what is already happening in the school or early childhood education service.”

The Nutrition Fund is a nationwide fund worth $3 million annually for four years. Its aim is to help schools and early childhood education services provide healthier food environments which deliver consistent, positive messages about healthy eating.

ENDS

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