Review of the School Food Survey from independent Dietician Sarah Crawford

Go to Sue's Press Release on this subject.

Go to School Lunch Survey 2006

There has been negligible change between the 2005/2006 GREEN PARTY SCHOOL LUNCH SURVEY, (based on access to school websites and their menus) and this year's survey. The menu remains essentially the same --- chips, hot dogs, hot bites, pies, sausage rolls, cookies, cakes, chocolate and doughnuts. It is scandalous.

There is little incentive for children to change their dietary habits as shown in both surveys because rolls and sandwiches are more expensive than the high fat and high sugar foods. It is interesting to note that the number of schools selling both muesli bars and yoghurt have slipped over the past year.

Some schools listed water on the menu in both 2005/06 and in fact the number of schools selling water have increased, but really do we need to sell water when it comes out of a tap. Everyone should be encouraged to bring a water bottle to school which they can either fill up from the tap at home or at school. We are privileged in New Zealand that we are able to turn on the tap whether at home or school and our water is safe to drink. It is very sophisticated marketing seducing our children to think that bottled water is preferable. This is an unnecessary expense for the child.

It is interesting to note that recently the State of Victoria, Australia, whose population is greater than New Zealand's total population, has been able to make legislative changes to improve the overall nutrition of children and adolescents. From the information collected from this survey it is imperative that the New Zealand government make similar changes so that parents, staff members and decision makers are able to implement improved nutrition into the schools more easily.

Sarah Crawford
Dietician
May 2006