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More funding to improve children’s nutritionWaikato District Health Board has granted more than $145,000 in funding to schools and early childhood centres across the Waikato region for projects that will improve the health of their students. This funding comes from the fifth and final round of the Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) Nutrition Fund. Since November 2007, the fund has allocated financial support of more than $810,000 to 58 projects across the district, involving 71 schools and 24 early childhood centres. Schools and early education centres that received funding from the fifth round are: HEHA district coordinator Sheryl Firth said gardening was a popular choice for the projects. “Through all five of the rounds gardening remained the most common type of project funded. “It shows that schools and centres are seizing the opportunity for their students to learn valuable lessons through a hands-on approach,” she said. Other projects for this round include gardening/nutrition workshops for parents, equipment to improve food technology and nutrition lessons and professional development for staff. Mrs Firth said it was pleasing to see an increase in applications for this round from early childhood education centres, intermediates and high schools. “The level of enthusiasm and excitement from the successful applicants is inspiring. “This funding gives them the chance to undertake their initiatives and make positive changes to the future health of their students,” Mrs Firth said. Due to a recent refocus by the government, the HEHA strategy will now look to achieve more of a balance between increasing physical activity and improving nutrition. There will be no further Nutrition Fund rounds. Current Nutrition Fund projects will continue to be funded and the HEHA Education Group will continue to monitor progress and provide advice and support. ENDS Date: 21 July 2009 Contact: Ashleigh Peek |