Stephanie Alexander Healthy Kids Advisors: Central Goldfields schools commit to healthy food

Eight schools in one country Victoria shire are changing the way they serve food, to make healthy eating a top priority.

All schools in one country Victoria shire have signed up to a new healthy eating program, which will ensure the region’s 2500 students have better access to nutritious food in canteens, classrooms and at school events.

Principals at all eight schools in Central Goldfields shire have backed a new Healthy Kids Advisors initiative delivered by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.

Local Healthy Kids Advisor Ciel Lindley said she was “privileged” to be working with schools that were prioritising food education.

“I really hope that we achieve something holistic, sustainable and fun for the schools and young people,” Ms Lindley said.

Central Goldfields Healthy Kids Advisor Ciel Lindley with students Frankie Cook, Levi Wilson, Koby Carlton and Chloe Scarano, who are excited about a new program that will ensure kids have access to "healthy delicious" food at all events and across all eight campuses in the shire. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Central Goldfields school leaders Ash Harvey of Carisbrook Primary, Andrew Tatchell of Timor Primary, Katie Lovel of Natte Yallock Primary, Tess Kelly of Talbot Primary and David Sutton of Maryborough Education Centre have all backed the new Healthy Kids Advisors program. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Ms Lindley will develop an individual program for each school.

Her plans include integrating fresh produce into canteens, supporting development of kitchen gardens, and including students in a community-wide food network that addresses the need for ensuring locally grown, healthy produce is readily available in the region.

Maryborough Education Centre principal David Sutton said he was excited to be putting a “healthy delicious lens” over food served at all events across the prep-year 12 campus.

“We are very happy to be involved in the program because we are aware of the importance that nutrition plays in healthy lives,” he said.

“Ciel has had connections into the community for a number of years and really understands it.

“These sorts of issues can be pretty sensitive; while they seem simple they are often quite complex. Ciel’s approach is particularly good … it is around support and promotion.”

Ms Lindley said she hoped the program would have a flow-on effect in the community.

“If we can show the demand is there, and children will choose seasonal fresh delicious options from retailers, the retailers will make changes as well,” she said. “The ripple effect will mean less fast-food environments, and more fresh produce.”

The Healthy Kids Advisors program is being rolled out in 13 regional shires across Victoria.

Culinary legend Stephanie Alexander recently called for more government funding for food education and kitchen garden programs in schools, saying such initiatives “teach everything we say we want children to know” from STEM skills to sustainability and understanding diversity.