Schools and their canteen or food service are well placed to support healthy eating and in fact have a vital role to play in helping to reduce the worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity.
Children should eat a wide range of foods so that they have the energy for learning and growing. A new, easy-to-follow 'traffic light' system has been introduced to help public schools plan menus full of healthy, nutritious and affordable food and drinks.
The new standards require that foods in the GREEN category are encouraged. Schools should aim to fill their menus with these healthy foods. AMBER foods should be selected carefully and eaten in moderation. RED food and drinks are off the menu and will not be available in public schools.
Nutrition and physical activity messages are being taught in the classroom to promote healthy lifestyles. The new standards for healthy food and drink choices in public schools are consistent with these curriculum messages and will apply to canteens and food services, class treats, school camps and excursions.
Parents are encouraged to use the GREEN AMBER RED system at home too.