Nutritional education and promotion of healthy living/lifestyles and food offer
We have worked with colleagues from Public Health sharing resources on healthy meals and snacks alongside support for parents and signposting to Health4Life.
We created our own HAF Activity Booklet for HAF Christmas in partnership with UK Harvest where all HAF attendees received a booklet that included how to make your own pizza, craft activities, information about food waste, links to exercise videos, information on food labels and puzzles.
Providers offer a range of approaches on educating children on nutrition, for example through conversations at mealtimes, quizzes and taste sessions. We have supplied free water bottles to support children and young people to stay hydrated and reduce single use plastic bottles.
Food offer
Over the last year, we have seen the offer of a nutritious meal has been welcomed by families. All our HAF clubs provided one nutritious meal every day. Most of our HAF providers have now included a breakfast snack or piece of fruit to pupils when they arrive to ensure young people are ready for some physical activities. Some may have missed breakfast.
All children who attended the provision across Southend received a wide range of food offerings:
- children were provided with at least one meal a day
- all food provided met school food standards
- 90% of meals provided were hot.
Food was provided by several sources including:
- local businesses
- HAF providers
Our HAF club at Chase High School involved teenagers preparing and cooking their own meals under the supervision of a qualified chef. This has continued throughout the year. Feedback has been that pupils are trying new foods and have gained increased confidence in the kitchen. HAF clubs encourage mealtimes to be a social experience where children sit together, where pupils develop friendships and are encouraged to try new foods.