Students crunch way to good health

Almost 900 students at Comet Bay Primary School gathered to devour fresh fruit and vegetables as part of the Great Aussie Crunch earlier this month.

On September 6, the students joined more than 20,000 other WA schoolchildren in an attempt to send the “crunch-o-meters” off the scale.

Carrots, celery, capsicum and snow peas were some of the choices on hand when the students munched together and created a fascinating sound for 15 minutes.

Teachers used specially made “crunch-o-meters” to see whether the sound was more of a “caterpillar nibble” or a “crocodile crunch”.

Cancer Council WA schools nutrition co-ordinator Shannon Wright said The Great Aussie Crunch was an entertaining way to encourage children to eat more vegetables.

“The Great Aussie Crunch is a fun way to increase vegetable consumption at school,” she said.

“While most Western Australian children are eating the recommended daily intake of fruit, only one in six are eating enough vegies.”

Comet Bay Primary School health co-ordinator and teacher Sharon Baxter said the school placed great importance on food education.

“We are privileged to be a partof the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Foundation Program, which involves teaching students to grow seasonal produce and use it to prepare nutritious food,” she said.

“Our vegetable garden provides our kitchen classes with fresh supplies and a natural classroom in which children can learn how to grow and share their own fruit and vegetables.

“Research shows that engaged, excited students are likely to share their new skills and understandings with their family and surely make a positive difference in their lives.”