Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

5 June, 2015

The WCED and Woolworths launch Healthy Eating Guide.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

South African school children face nutritional challenges that range from malnutrition to obesity. Schools can help to make the difference by ensuring that food provided on the school grounds meets the standards of good nutrition for children.

The Western Cape Education Department and Woolworths are delighted to present a Healthy Eating Guide to assist schools in providing children with important opportunities to make healthier eating choices every day. The Healthy Eating Guide aims to provide children with foods that promote health and learning.

Foods that promote performance are those that help sustain energy levels, increase concentration and positively impact on behaviour and learning.

Formulating an official school policy is a great way of clarifying goals, setting the standards and informing stakeholders about healthy eating. Importantly, it serves to entrench the school's food provision within the context of the school's rules and regulations.

The Healthy Eating Guide is a partnership between the Western Cape Education Department, Woolworths, the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) in association with dieticians Shelly Meltzer & Associates.

The development of the guide has taken place over a number of years involving teams of nutritional experts who have conducted research at South African schools, explored the international scenario and applied their dietary expertise.

The guide provides schools with practical tips on how to formulate a healthy food policy and promote healthy eating amongst learners, parents, teachers, vendors or tuck shop owners.

The guide also contains nutrition information for food options as well as ideas for healthy lunches, nutritious snacks and nourishing drinks.


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