Lesson for all on kindy food

BY PETER FARAGO
WHAT ever happened to kids getting milk and fruit at kindergarten?
The simple, healthy combination seems to have been the norm around the Independent office this week, according to a quick straw poll.
It’s a fair question to ask after a Corio parent created a storm last week complaining that her local kindergarten had confiscated snacks deemed unhealthy as part of a pilot program to promote healthy eating.
Kerry McKenzie said the program had stopped her packing home-baked biscuits, scones or cakes in her youngest child’s lunchbox.
But kindergarten authorities have been quick to add some other food items to the list of snacks that other parents have packed for their kids in the past – foods deemed unacceptable in the Smiles4Miles program running at a host of pre-schools across Geelong.
The list includes junk food and, unbelievably, cans of Coca-Cola.
In anyone’s book, sending a four or five-year-old to kindergarten with a can of Coke seems a sure-fire recipe for the child to head home with a sugar hangover, not to mention getting really well acquainted with the family dentist.
And that’s exactly what organisers of Smiles4Miles want to avoid.
According to Dental Health Services Victoria’s website, the program combines preventative strategies and targeted treatment services to ensure better health outcomes, especially for children considered at high risk of oral disease.
Programs used to promote oral health include:
• Eat Well – promoting fresh fruit and vegetables rather than pre-packaged foods that are high in sugar and/or fat;
• Drink Well – promoting water rather than sweet drinks; and
• Clean Well – encouraging regular tooth brushing supported by parents/carers.
Minister for Children and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville this week told the Independent a review of the program with 1800 parents had recommended it be rolled out across the state.
“It hasn’t been imposed. We’re working closely with families trying to teach kids and families to eat well,” Ms Neville said.
“We’re providing guidance of what is good and what’s not good to eat. We’re not trying to dictate but educate.
“What we want to encourage is a good understanding of the risks of always providing those foods.
“They can be treats but not everyday food.”
It’s obvious this program is about promoting healthy eating and oral care to young children, not infringing on parents’ rights.
Health authorities can’t control what parents serve their children at home but if they can encourage youngsters to enjoy eating fruit and vegetables then maybe their parents can cotton on to the message that this can only be a good thing.
And fruit and vegetables aren’t that expensive. In fact, loading the menu with fruit and veg instead of processed foods can save money on the weekly shopping bill.
It’s not about stripping parents’ rights to serve their kids sweet treats but more about getting back to basics and giving children better food to help them grow.
If parents want to bake biscuits and cakes for their kids, maybe serve them as after-school snacks.
In the meantime it seems like it’s a welcome return to milk (or water) and fruit at kindergarten.