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Canberra Today 19°/23° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

A draft ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy

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JOY Burch wants community feedback on her draft ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy.

Parents, teachers and other community members are invited to have their say on the draft policy, which applies a traffic light system – red for food and drinks which should not be on the menu, amber for those which should be consumed in moderation, and green for healthy options – to ACT public school activities and events.

“The rate of overweight or obese children is on the rise, and the habits children learn early are important to their future health and wellbeing,” Joy said.

“Developing a healthy food and drink culture in public schools will make it easier for children to make good food and drink choices, not just at school but throughout their life.

“Over recent years schools have made progress in this area. Canteens are providing healthier options, and students are being taught how to grow and cook healthy food.

“Vending machines have been removed from our public schools and replaced with water refill stations, and sugary drinks will be removed from canteens by the end of this year. These changes will all contribute to students’ overall health and wellbeing at school and help develop healthy eating and drinking habits from an early age.”

A working group consisting of key community, academic and school stakeholders has started the review process that will be finalised by late 2014. The final policy is expected to be launched in early 2015.

The policy is available for comment on the Time to Talk website, www.timetotalk.act.gov.au, until 17 October 2014.

[Photo by rob_rob2001, attribution licence]

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