TAFE TACKLES TUCKSHOP TRAINING

TAFE institutes throughout Queensland are supporting efforts to reduce child obesity by providing training for school tuckshops volunteers in healthier food choices.

Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, said the new ‘Smart Choices Healthy School Tuckshop’ program would have tremendous benefits for schools and parents.

“This innovative new course will provide an avenue for parents to learn about healthy menu choices for children,” Mr Welford said.

“It will support our Government’s initiative to introduce healthy tuckshop menus as an important step to address obesity and diet-related health problems in children.

“The course will provide information about healthy diet options for children – and this is something that parents can utilise at home as well.

“The TAFE program involves a six-hour workshop which outlines the principles of a healthy diet and teaches participants how to deliver it in a tuckshop operation.”

From 1 January 2007, it will be mandatory for state schools to supply and promote food and drinks that are low in saturated fat, sugar and calories and significantly limit tuckshop items low in nutritional value.

The ‘Smart Choices – Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy’ strategy addresses all types of foods and drinks with limited nutritional value and all aspects of the school environment including tuckshops, vending machines, fundraising, school excursions and camps, curriculum and classroom rewards.

The Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations and the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops have been conducting seminars across the state to assist P& Cs and tuckshop convenors with the implementation.

Mr Welford said TAFE institutes from North Queensland to the Gold Coast had begun introducing the courses.

“It is anticipated courses will be offered statewide by the end of Term 1, 2007,” he said.

The Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE (20 November), Brisbane North Institute of TAFE 7 & 12 November) and Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE (Kingaroy Campus 10 November) are the first to offer the courses.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000