New food and nutrition guidelines
Food and nutrition have an essential role in children’s and young people’s achievement at every stage of education. There is evidence that their food choices can affect their behaviour as well as their health. Well-nourished young people are ‘ready to learn’, and there is consistent evidence that when basic nutritional and fitness needs are met, young people achieve at higher levels.
The Ministry of Education plans to publish food and nutrition guidelines in term 1, 2007, to help early childhood services and schools to develop food and nutrition policies. The Ministry is currently consulting with stakeholders on the draft text for the (working title) Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Early Childhood Education Services and Schools and Their Communities.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health is developing a food and beverage classification system for schools (available early 2007) and early childhood services (available mid-2007). Schools and early childhood services will be able to use this framework to support the food and nutrition guidelines. The framework will help schools and early childhood centres to identify and promote healthier food and beverage options, for example, when stocking school canteens or in the context of curriculum-related studies.
Many schools and early childhood services are already aware of the important links between food, health, and learning. They are fostering an environment that helps students to make healthy eating choices and become committed to consuming healthier foods.