Northern Territory School Food Policy Launched

The CLP today outlined their policy on providing healthy food in schools. The CLP School Canteen Food Standards Policy is designed to provide support to parents, school councils and canteen managers.

"Territory kids have enormous potential, but to develop, we need to nurture their most valuable resource, good health,” Terry Mills said today.

"Too many of our young people are not getting enough exercise, eating the wrong foods and putting their futures in real jeopardy.

"Almost a quarter of our young Territorians are either overweight or obese.

"School canteen food standards are commonsense, something Government must lead and support. Drink manufacturers are moving faster to change the consumption patterns of our kids than this Government.

"The Territory has recommendations concerning food quality served in school canteens, but all other States and Territories are mandating a healthy food service at school canteens. The Territory should do the same.

"For simplicity and ease it is tempting to sell packaged food, but that is not what our kids need, they need fresh and healthy food to allow them to be healthy and active.

"As part of supporting parents, school councils and canteens, an extensive education program will target the different stakeholders. Parents would receive education packs on the importance of healthy food and assistance with the nutritional content of food at the canteen. This would be combined with class health education activities.

"This policy will be married to a policy of physical activity that reflects the message of healthy diet and healthy exercise to complete the physical person,” said Mr Mills.

2006-09-05