Junk food abandoned at Daylesford school

Hepburn Health Service and Daylesford Secondary College hosted the ‘Fab Food Day’, aimed at getting students to think differently about food. 

Chefs Christian Reuther from the Boathouse Café and Kylie Himmerman of Verde Providores took over the canteen for the day and prepared a range of healthy food for students.

Meals included vegetarian soup, lamb souvlakis, muffins and berry smoothies. 

It was part of a larger Hepburn Health Service project aimed at encouraging healthier food choices and inspiring young people to try new foods.

Mr Reuther, who was integral in the set up, said students had been involved throughout the process - even suggesting the meal ideas for the day. 

"When I was young canteens were full of junk food so we wanted to make it relevant for today's kids to get them excited again." 

And it's worked, with more than 120 students taking part across the day. 

Principal Graeme Holmes said the school was thrilled to take part.

"The quality of food on offer is phenomenal and it really makes students realise healthy food can be yummy too," he said.

"It's important to us to get this message across and the school already has a balanced menu. 

"I do think it's changing and lots of kids choose healthy food these days." 

Community health nurse Janet Bracks hopes Hepburn Health can continue the canteen lunch days once a term. 

"This is all part of our strategy to address health concerns in the region and it follows on from a produce day last year," she said.

"We're keen to make it work."