And Cancer Council NSW is encouraging Parkes schools to hop on board with its nutrition program Eat It To Beat It in time for this year’s kindergarten orientation period or throughout the school year.

The program delivered 75 Healthy Lunch Box sessions during the Western NSW kindergarten orientation period last year. The free 25-minute sessions show parents how easy it can be to pack a healthy lunch box every day.

Each family gets a free show bag filled with great resources, including a hands-on Healthy Lunch Box Kit.

Western NSW Community Programs Coordinator, Fiona Markwick said including fruit and vegetables in the lunch box was an easy step towards eating the recommended two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day.

“Evidence tells us that diet is linked to cancer and that eating more fruit and vegetables can help reduce your cancer risk,” Fiona said. 

Schools in Western NSW are working hard to create healthier environments for students and want to support families to build healthy habits at home.

“Schools tell us that many lunch boxes still contain a lot of packaged foods,” Fiona said.

“Teachers want to encourage parents to build healthy habits in their children from day one, as what kids eat in the playground influences concentration levels in the classroom.”

Parents who have attended Healthy Lunch Box sessions report an increase in their confidence to pack a healthy lunch box and increased knowledge about recommended fruit and vegetable consumption.

“They also come away with some great recipe ideas and tips and tricks to get kids to eat the healthy food packed in the lunch box,” Fiona said.

To find out more or to register interest for a Healthy Lunch Box session, go to eatittobeatit.com.au or contact Fiona Markwick on 6392 0803 or email fionam@nswcc.org.au