Ruakaka School is no stranger to being involved with projects that help students develop a holistic sense of health and wellbeing. Ruakaka School is an Enviro School that has achieved Gold/Green award, they have chickens, a bee hive producing honey, are part of Milk in Schools, Health Promoting Schools, Kick-Start Breakfast and Energize.

The attitude that is obvious at Ruakaka School is ‘why not?’ When approached by Food for Life to be part of their ‘HOT Lunch’ programme, Principal Marilyn Dunn knew that this was an opportunity not only for children to be provided with a hot meal however that it would “provide a different way for the school to be inclusive as all children and staff eat the same great food together” says Marilyn.

The programme also gave the school another way for them to encourage children to eat more veges, as all the meals provided are vegetarian and are packed full of vegetables.

Petrina Platt, who delivers Energize at Ruakaka School, says “Ruakaka School looks at every opportunity to give children consistent messages around healthy eating. Food for Life aligns and strengthens many of the healthy eating messages Energize promote in the school”.

Children’s tastes have also developed and many children are enjoying foods and flavours that they may never have tried before. Teacher and parent, Jo Irvine says “my son who hates broccoli is now giving it a go at home”. She has also noticed that children’s attitudes are more open to new foods.

If you want to know more about Food for Life, check out http://www.foodforlifenorthland.org.nz/lunches-in-schools.html