“Healthy School Lunches is a highly successful program we established in 2022 which provides affordable, healthy lunches to students at school,” Rockliff said.
“We know that children are more likely to attend, concentrate and enjoy school when they have a healthy lunch.
“Already, the evidence indicates that Healthy School Lunches is having a positive impact on student attendance, behaviour and health, with school principals reporting improved attendance, behaviour and education outcomes."
Over the past year, more than 7000 healthy hot lunches have been served to more than 4000 students in 30 schools.
Rockliff said over the next two years, Healthy School Lunches will be expanded to another 30 schools, increasing the number of students accessing the program to around 8000 per year.
“Healthy School Lunches will provide affordable, healthy lunches, with a voluntary gold-coin contribution per lunch for those who can afford it, saving families up to $950 per year."
The Premier said the plan includes one-off upgrades to schools for their kitchens and canteens and staff for each school.
“Along with our 2030 Strong Plan education policies including investing in new maths and science teachers and our $188 million School Building Blitz, Healthy School Lunches will help ensure our students get the best possible start in life,” Rockliff said.
The cost of expanding Healthy School Lunches is $14.6 million.
Alexandra Manson, a PhD candidate and dietitian at Flinders University, is heading a research team looking into the potential for extending school-provided meals across Australia.
Schools overseas have been doing it for years, with one in two children around the world receiving school-provided meals, and in many countries it has alleviated labour demands on families, addressed parent/caregiver barriers to lunchbox provision and increased access to food for all schoolchildren.
Manson told EducationHQ last month that despite previous research revealing just how important good food and good nutrition is to performing in the classroom, children simply aren’t eating enough of the five food groups.
In other good eating news, healthy places for kids have been celebrated across Victoria in the second Vic Kids Eat Well Awards, with nine winners serving nutritious and tasty options in canteens, after school or at weekend footy.
The awards acknowledge outstanding community organisations and individuals who boost healthy and delicious food and drinks options for kids.
Changes included adding colourful veggies to meals and swapping sugary drinks for healthy hydration options.
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the free initiative had an important role to play in the state.
“We want all Victorian children to enjoy a healthy and happy childhood that establishes the foundations for a life of good health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Vic Kids Eat Well is a vital tool that is helping to educate children and young people and I congratulate all the winners who are empowering them to make healthy choices.”
State-wide winners included primary schools, a regional secondary school, a football club, a leisure centre, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), networks of community health organisations and a dedicated community volunteer.
Mulgrave Football Club nourished young players with hummus and carrot sticks, protein balls, salad rolls, homemade air fryer wedges and trail mix thanks to Vic Kids Eat Well.
A rural winner, Heywood & District Secondary College, empowered students to take over the canteen menu – teenagers came up with meal deals where popular side salads could be selected.
More than 1000 organisations have now joined Vic Kids Eat Well, reaching around 200,000 kids across the state.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said the Vic Kids Eat Well Awards showcased the healthy and delicious changes happening for kids in canteens, lunch orders, at events and in fundraising across the state.
“It is wonderful to celebrate the second year of Vic Kids Eat Well with our nine winners,” Harper said.
“Bite by bite, we’re creating a healthy start for Victorian kids along with the support of dedicated community health promotion teams.
“It is also encouraging to see kids involved in preparing a variety of healthy foods to share with other students.”
Nutrition Australia acting program manager, Kirsten Johnson, congratulated the Vic Kids Eat Well winners, along with the staff and dedicated volunteers at weekend sport and in school canteens for making simple swaps.
“It has been inspiring to see how community organisations have used Vic Kids Eat Well’s resources and support to refresh their canteen and add nutritious options for kids,” Johnson said.
“We encourage others to join Vic Kids Eat Well for free.”
This initiative is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with Nutrition Australia.
Vic Kids Eat Well Award Winners
BIG BITE AWARDS
Outstanding Vic Kids Eat Well participant organisations that completed bite-sized changes.
Schools category
Joint winner: Campbellfield Heights Primary School
This northern suburb school added fresh salads, wraps and delicious snacks to their canteen. With a fantastic canteen manager, Jess, kids enjoyed being involved in preparing and serving food and were ready to learn and play sport. They received on-the-ground health promotion support from DPV Health.
Joint winner: Heywood & District Secondary College
This small rural secondary school in south-west Victoria empowered students to take over the canteen menu – teenagers came up with a meal deal with a side-salad option. They received local support from Healthy Kids Advisor Jane Killmister from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF).
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) category
Winner: Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre
Kids at this community-based OSHC, in Melbourne’s south-east, enjoyed zucchini slice and delicious veggie-loaded curries after school. They received on-the-ground health promotion support from Laura Ayres at Monash Health.
Sports Clubs category
Winner: Mulgrave Football Club
Active young players at this footy club in Melbourne’s south-east were nourished with hummus and carrot sticks, protein balls, salad rolls, homemade air fryer wedges and trail mix. They received local health promotion support from Link Health and Community.
Community, Sports & Recreation category
Winner: Peter Krenz Leisure Centre
This leisure centre in the town of Eaglehawk of Greater Bendigo added delicious items like vegetable frittata and frozen fruit-and-yogurt icypoles. They received local support from Healthy Kids Advisor Rebecca Fry from SAKGF.
