Food in Schools
Junk food is everywhere. Every school we have worked with is
surrounded by a cottage industry of shops selling dubious products to
children. It is easy to buy hot junk food and cans of soft drink. Almost
every school in Ireland has a shop or filling station within 100 metres
selling the worst kind of rubbish to our children. Why do they sell junk?
It is easy to distribute, is full of cheap ingredients, and can be sold
with a high mark-up. Children very often have no access to a wholesome
option when they are at school...and this is what we want to change.
Simply by making more wholesome options available, children tend to
consume less junk food.
A school shop or canteen is part of the
school environment and therefore has an educational role, as does a
vending machine situated in a school. Children learn about healthy eating
as part of the curriculum, and it is therefore perverse when foods that
are unhealthily high in fat, sugar or salt are promoted in school. When
schools sell junk food, it gives the impression that junk food is endorsed
by authorities. Children need to be educated and empowered so that they
can make informed healthy choices about their diet. However, it is crucial
that the school environment should promote a culture of healthy eating, as
it is pointless talking to children about a healthy diet when junk food is
so easily available at school.
We feel that there is no point in talking about nutrition if we don't
influence food supply. One of the best ways of reducing the consumption of junk food is simply to make wholesome food easily
available. The same applies for junk beverages like fizzy drinks...you can find
out more about water in schools by clicking here.
Chuck out
the Junk!
Please contact
us if you would like to discuss the provision of healthy food within your
school. We have a commitment to review
any food that is sold in schools. This means that you can contact us with
details of your current food supply, and we will advise you on how best to
ensure that healthy options are made available to your students.
