Healthy School Lunch Challenge Awards Held

Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden recently presented the Healthy School Lunch Challenge awards, with the Minister saying that “the vision of The Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment is to commit to healthy people in healthy communities.”

The Healthy School Lunch Challenge promoted healthy eating habits to primary and middle school students through utilizing the Bermuda Dietary Guidelines and the Eat Well Plate.

Minister Atherden said, “To fulfill this vision Well Bermuda partnerships were formed with Governmental and non-governmental organizations. During Nutrition Month an initiative with various Well Bermuda Partners was established to encourage the population to utilize the Eat Well Plate and Dietary Guidelines to promote healthy eating.

“Several different activities were designed to educate the public on increasing vegetable consumption such as demonstrations to grow your own vegetables, support from local supermarkets and vendors to promote discounts on vegetables, “Eat More Vegetables” through bus advertisements and multimedia, the Healthy School Lunch Challenge.”

“All of these activities were successful in reaching various populations within the community. The Healthy School Lunch Challenge [HSLC] met a population that we all are passionate about which is our young people.

“This challenge promoted healthy eating habits to primary and middle school students through utilizing the Bermuda Dietary Guidelines and the Eat Well Plate.

“The response from schools, teachers, parents and students was remarkable. Nineteen schools participated.

“Teachers taught students the lesson plans developed by Nutrition Services. Parents along with students shared together in developing healthy junk food free lunches. The lunches were evaluated by the teachers for nutrient content, eye appeal, nutrition explanation and originality of vegetables.”

“Amazing pictures of healthy lunches prepared by the first, second and third winners from each school were submitted. The panel of judges reviewed the submissions to select overall first, second and third place winners from each year level.

“The practical application and understanding of healthy eating practices were evidenced by all submissions.

“Today, we have come to congratulate the overall winners. As the Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Well Bermuda partners from the Department of Health, Nutrition Services, the Ministry of Education, the Bermuda Dietitians Association and Argus Group of Insurance who through their support, time and effort executed this initiative of promoting a healthier Bermuda.

“I would also like to thank all those students and their families who participated at each school and hope that this initiative has resulted in a change which will promote healthy eating and help us progress toward our vision of “Healthy People in Healthy Communities.”

#BermudianChildren #GoodNews #Health

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