We all heard it as children and many of us are saying it as adults.
NSW Health, in partnership with Healthy Kids Association, rolled out Vegie Week and the Big Vegie Crunch on March 30 across primary schools in NSW.
The initiative began in 2014 as a way of involving schools in educating children about the health benefits of eating vegetables.
Nienke De Vlieger from Healthy Kids Association said only five per cent of NSW children eat enough vegetables.
“We’re on a mission to change that stat, by increasing children’s knowledge, exposure and positive attitudes towards vegetables,” Dr De Vlieger said.
The current Big Vegie Crunch record sits at 50,000 kids simultaneously eating vegetables.
During the years there has been on average 500 schools registered statewide and this year they are trying to break that record.
Barooga Public School’s Di Lennox was responsible for organising her school’s event and was happy to see so many kids enthusiastically snacking on vegetables.
“Beyond the Big Vegie Crunch event, Barooga is a ‘Crunch and Sip’ school which means part of our morning routine includes a dedicated time for students to refuel on vegetables and fruit and rehydrate with water,” she said.
Research shows students who are not hungry and are well hydrated perform better in the classroom, show increased concentration and are less likely to be irritable and disruptive.
“The Big Crunch is a way to emphasise the importance of vegetables and encourage our students to eat more vegies,” Ms Lennox said.
Beyond the immediate health benefits, Vegie Week also provides a bonus shout-out to those responsible for producing clean, green Australian vegetables.
Tocumwal vegetable farmer Hannah Kelly said most kids wouldn’t realise just how many vegetables were grown in the southern Riverina region.
“I think Vegie Week is great because kids are going home and talking to their parents and carers about vegetables. It starts a conversation,” she said.
“They might not realise that potatoes are grown locally, that there are carrot, garlic and beetroot producers nearby.”
Dr De Vlieger said at Healthy Kids Association, they were constantly working with school canteens and NSW Health to promote healthy eating choices.
“The aim is to take down the barriers around eating vegetables.
“If kids see their peers doing it, their teachers promoting it and they get positive reinforcement for healthy choices, then they’re more likely to keep eating vegetables.”
24°C