In New Zealand, the rate of vegetable consumption is on a downward trend, with a mere fraction of the population, less than 20%, adhering to the recommended daily intake. In response, New Zealand's vegetable growers have collaborated with EATucation, a social enterprise, aiming to bolster the consumption of vegetables among young New Zealanders by equipping them with lifelong vegetable appreciation and consumption skills.
John Murphy, Chair of Vegetables NZ, highlighted the synergy between this new partnership and the existing Add One More Vegetable initiative, aimed at augmenting vegetable consumption. He emphasized the potential of EATucation's program to positively alter children's perceptions of vegetables, thereby fostering healthier lifetime habits and encouraging these young individuals to share their newfound knowledge within their communities.
Comparative research with Australia reveals a similar predicament, with both nations reporting vegetable intake well below the recommended 5+ A Day. This deficiency in vegetable consumption is linked to adverse health and economic consequences, prompting New Zealand's vegetable growers to invest in consumption-boosting programs.
EATucation, under the guidance of founder Matt Robinson, provides comprehensive food education resources to educators across early childhood, primary, and secondary levels. Robinson, drawing from his experience as a food technology and hospitality teacher, advocates for food education as a crucial element in reversing the decline in food literacy and mitigating the negative impacts of poor diets on community health.
Robinson further elaborated on EATucation's mission to enhance food literacy among New Zealand learners, thereby improving health outcomes and supporting academic and emotional well-being through access to a balanced diet. The initiative underscores the importance of integrating food education into the broader curriculum, thereby ensuring students emerge from their educational journey with a robust understanding of food literacy.
Source: Vegetables New Zealand