Good nutrition and healthy eating practices in childhood are important in shaping lifelong behaviours. We also know that nutritious, balanced food improves children’s learning and behaviour. This Community and Public Health Healthy Events and Fundraisers Guide is designed to help school and event organisers maintain a positive food and drink environment that gives consistent, accurate messages about food and drinks.
School fundraising
Many schools, sports teams and clubs fundraise to raise money to purchase resources and equipment. Fundraising can be an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles to the whole school community. Parents Voice give us a list of healthy fundraising ideas for your school.
Healthy food in schools
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Healthy Futures free templates
Providing healthier beverage options in your workplace
"A workplace that supports wellbeing has staff who are more productive, happier and healthier. Employees spend 60% of their waking hours at work and this usually includes at least one meal time. Swapping sugar-sweetened beverages for low or no-sugar options is an easy way for employees to improve their health."
The Health Promotion Agency gives guidance on providing healthier beverage options in your workplace.
Campaigning for healthy school food
"The state school my boys attend implemented a Healthy Food Policy (HFP) to take effect at the beginning of Term 3, 2014. YES, this was my moment. Everybody has their soapbox issue. Mine is healthy food for children."
Healthy Food Guide writer Judith Yeabsley shares her story on how she campaigned to improve the food environment at her children's school.
Safe and active transport to school
"Walking, cycling and scooting to school offer children many benefits. Improved independence, physical and mental health, decision making, risk assessment and road safety skills, to name a few."
Greater Wellington Regional Council provide tools and resources for schools to promote safe and active travel.
Resources for schools and ECE services
Heart Foundation resources about physical activity and the Healthy Heart Award.
Children’s Commissioner: Guidelines for school food programmes
These Children's Commissioner guidelines are for schools that want to have a successful food programme – whether they are just thinking about where to start, or wanting to improve an existing one. The guidelines aim to ensure any programme achieves the maximum possible health and educational benefits for all children.
School food guidelines
Schools are required to promote healthy food and nutrition for all students, but don’t have to sell healthy foods or beverages. Parents Voice outlines school food guidelines and shares what you can do if you are concerned about your school's food environment.
An alternative to chocolate fundraising for schools
"Ecostore is excited to now offer a healthier alternative for your next fundraising project. Whether you’re a school, club, group or early childhood centre, we’d love to support your good cause."
New Zealand Dental Association Wellington resources for schools
Guidelines and resources from the NZDA Wellington branch. The current aim is to reduce access to sugar sweetened beverages and junk food in council owned areas, schools and hospitals.
Water only policy template
"We encourage all schools to become water only. This means making sure that water (and plain reduced fat milk) is the only drink in your school. Schools that have moved to being water only have seen that it benefits teaching and learning as well as student health and wellbeing."
Ministry of Education guidelines on how to become a water-only school.
Kids leading food environment improvements: Rhodes Street School, Hamilton
An early-morning sugar fix and a Rhode Street School uniform don't go together any more, thanks to an agreement between the student council and several Dinsdale dairies. This stuff article outlines the Rhode Street School student council plan.
Water only school success story: Yendarra School, Otara
In 2006 the school began a series of small changes in the food and beverage environment which have resulted in significant weight loss among pupils – and a lot of other striking improvements in behaviour, attendance, health and learning achievements. That Sugar Film tells the Yendarra School story.
Healthy workplaces: A model for action (WHO)
Workers’ health, safety and well-being are vital concerns to hundreds of millions of working people worldwide. But the issue extends even further beyond individuals and their families. It is of paramount importance to the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, communities, and to national and regional economies. This WHO publication provides a model for action for healthy workplaces.