Partnerships

The Community Nutrition Unit (Dept of Health & Human Services)

The Community Nutrition Unit (DHHS) implements evidence based community nutrition programs consistent with the Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy 2004.   The Community Nutrition Unit works in partnership with other agencies and organisations to build the capacity of other health and community workers in the area of nutrition. The CNU provides nutrition advice and support to the Tasmanian School Canteen Association’s (TSCA) Cool CAP program.  The CNU  is also available to school canteens for individual advice and nutrition training when required. The CNU also has a free nutrition resource library located in Hobart.

For more information contact

Community Nutrition Unit
3rd Floor, 25 Argyle Street, HOBART TAS 7000
Ph: 03 6222 7222
Fax 03 6222 7252
email: community.nutrition@dhhs.tas.gov.au

Eat Well Tasmania Eat Well Tasmania is a statewide program that provides support and assistance for activities or projects that promote enjoyable healthy eating. The goal of the program is to improve the nutritional wellbeing of all Tasmanians and contribute to the reduction of diet-related health problems, by maximising the impact of nutrition promotion.

Eat Well Tasmania can help you: Find others to work with Develop a nutrition promotion idea or project Raise the profile of your project through media networks Link with the broader nutrition network through use of the Eat Well Tasmania symbol Identify and source funding, sponsorship and in-kind support Access promotional resources and nutrition information. For further information visit: www.eatwelltas.com.au

The Tasmanian School Canteen Association has developed a strong partnership with the Move Well Eat Well project. This initiative, run jointly by the Departments of Health and Human Services, and Education offers Tasmanian primary schools recognition and support for the promotion healthy eating and physical activity.

Schools can work to receive a Move Well Eat Well Award by following a simple framework that helps them create a healthy school environment. It includes access to Tasmanian resources linked to the curriculum, handy information for parents, fundraisers and canteen workers, and links to local people and resources that may be able to help.

A feature of Move Well Eat Well is the promotion of messages that are child friendly and positive, and that work to make healthy choices an easy and normal part of every child's school day. Ideas and information for parents encourages their support for the same messages at home.

An additional resources is the development of a Move Well Eat Well Community Support Directory which enables schools to make links with local health and community workers available to assist them with their work.

Move Well Eat Well schools are encouraged to work with the TSCA in the promotion of healthy canteen options, and the development of ideas and polices which work to limit the consumption of "occasional' foods.

For more information:
visit:    www.education.tas.gov.au/movewelleatwell
email: movewelleatwell@dhhs.tas.gov.au
phone: 03 6222 7328

Wicked Vegies Wicked Vegies is an innovative and exciting opportunity to encourage and promote vegetables and fruit and health and wellbeing in Tasmanian schools.

What does Wicked Vegies aim to achieve?

• Enhance Tasmanian students’ knowledge of the benefits of eating vegetables and fruits
• Increase skills in food preparation
• Raise awareness of locally grown, seasonal vegies and fruit
• Support partnerships within schools and the community

How does Wicked Vegies link to the school?

• Wicked Vegies encourages students to investigate, design and produce snacks or meals using fresh produce.
• The project encourages a whole-school and broader community approach. For instance, a practical classroom activity can link to the school canteen, school gardens, parents and families, local growers, food retailers, local markets and/or local councils.

What’s involved in Wicked Vegies?

To get involved schools need to:

• Run an activity or activities within the school that involve students investigating, designing and producing snacks or meals using fresh vegies and/or fruit
• Participate in a Wicked Vegies Celebration Day (Competition)
• Seek to work with others in partnerships with the school and/or the community

A partnership means linking in with others, a group or organisation.

Examples of partners could be:

• School canteen
• Community garden
• Local greengrocer or supermarket
• Vegetable or fruit grower
• Local markets
• Local council
• Local café or restaurant

Wicked Vegies schools will:

• Be supported by our staff and partners
• Make a difference to the health and wellbeing of students
• Increase awareness of the benefits of eating vegetables and fruits within the school and broader community

Wicked Vegies Partnerships

The Cancer Council Tasmania auspices the project with support from partners:

• Eat Well Tasmania
• The National Heart Foundation of Australia (Tasmania Division)
• Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc (Tasmania)
• Department of Education
• Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Unit)

For more information contact

Glen Paley, Wicked Vegies Project Officer
The Cancer Council Tasmania
PO Box 1624
HOBART  TAS  7001
Phone: 03 6233 2030
Fax: 03 6233 2123
Email: gpaley@cancertas.org.au

Family Food Patch

The Family Food PATCH program aims to improve the nutrition and physical activity knowledge and skills of parents of children aged 0-12 years by training peer educators (Family Food Educators) from communities throughout Tasmania. The project is funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund, auspiced by the Child Health Association and supported by the Department of Health & Human Services and Eat Well Tasmania.

What do Family Food Educators do?

• Manning a display promoting good nutrition and physical activity for children at childcare, school or playgroup
• Working with their school canteen to promote healthy menu options or work towards accreditation
• Discussing food and physical activity ideas with family and friends
• Developing a school or community garden
• Manning a stall at a community event such as the Teddy Bears Picnic or local fair
• Using the apple peelers and donated apples at schools, shows, fairs
• Putting inserts into school newsletters promoting physical activity and healthy lunchbox ideas

Benefits of being a Family Food Educator

• Developing confidence, skills and knowledge about child nutrition and physical activity
• Meeting other like minded people
• Becoming involved in the local community
• Feeling good about contributing to the health of young Tasmanians

Quotes from educators

‘We have been using every opportunity really …just to get the message out there’

‘I think there’s a fair need for it ..especially..the amount of media pressure – on healthy eating and things like that, but it also tends to be a very negative focus’

‘Loved it’  ‘Gives you a purpose’

‘More opportunities than you realise and they don’t have to be formal standing up and giving a talk’ eg fairs, fun days, school canteens

For more information contact:
Family Food PATCH Project
Telephone: 03 6224 9198
Email: familyfoodpatch@iprimus.com.au

Additional Information

TSCA Executive and Committee

How to Join the TSCA

Upcoming Events

TSCA Newsletters

Positions Vacant

On This Page

Eat Well Tasmania

Move Well Eat Well

Wicked Vegies

Family Food Patch

The Community Nutrition Unit