Schools promoting healthy eating up for Mother Earth Reward

3 October 2012

Schools promoting healthy eating up for Mother Earth Reward

Eight schools promoting positive healthy eating attitudes in their communities are finalists in this year’s Mother Earth Reward Programme, announced today.

This year’s finalists include a Waikato school committed to being “Additive-Free” by eradicating artificial flavours, colours and preservatives from school lunches. As part of the programme, the school is working with the local supermarket and applying school approved labels that identify preservative free products on store shelves to help educate the community.

Other entries have come from an Early Learning Centre and a Kindergarten where children as young as two and three-years-old are not only planting and harvesting their own produce, but eating veggies they normally wouldn’t in their own home including garlic.

A primary school in Paeroa is growing medicinal plants such as Kale for community members undergoing radiation treatment, and Kindergarten children in Papamoa have established a garden with a focus on growing heritage vegetables – such as pumpkin and eggplant of yesteryear.

Head Judge and Healthy Food Guide magazine Editor, Niki Bezzant, says she is “blown away” by the caliber and diversity of entries.

“The schools that have entered this year have really stepped up a mark,” says Niki. “It is great to see the breadth of initiatives across the country. Schools are aiming to improve eating habits not just among their own students, but within their communities as well.”

The Mother Earth Reward Programme recognises Enivroschools that are working towards environmental sustainability and making an exceptional contribution to the promotion of wholesome food and healthy eating within the community.

Caroline Potter of Mother Earth, who created the reward programme in partnership with The Enviroschools Foundation, says it’s often the children who pass on healthy eating habits to their families.

“It is evident from the entries, that it’s not just students and teachers driving these programmes,” says Caroline. “There is also a high level of engagement and support from families and local communities. In many cases, it’s the adults learning from the children.”

Head Judge Niki Bezzant will decide on the top three schools to win one of three $2,500 cash prizes to help continue their good work. A new People’s Choice Reward category has been added this year whereby the public can vote for their favourite entry. The winning school is into to win a $500 cash prize.

The four Reward winners, including the People’s Choice winner, will be officially announced on 24 October.

To view all eight finalists and cast your vote in the People’s Choice category visit http://motherearth.co.nz/62/home.

ENDS

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