Pick of the Crop celebrates century success
Health and Wellbeing Queensland is delighted to celebrate our flagship Pick of the Crop program that is now in more than 100 schools across Queensland – providing opportunities for Queensland primary school children to learn about, and eat more, vegetables and fruit.
The program, now in its third year, has exceeded expectations for 2023, and is reaching more than 23,000 children at schools in the following education regions:
- South East Queensland (including Logan and Redlands)
- North Coast (including Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Maryborough and Gympie)
- North Queensland (including Bowen and the Burdekin), and
- Darling Downs and South West.
Participating schools receive support from a regional coordinator and have the opportunity to access small grant funding of up to $7,000 over 2 years for activities such as visits with farmers, cooking sessions, school gardens or tuckshop improvements.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Officer Dr Robyn Littlewood said Pick of the Crop is a win for thousands of students across Queensland who are learning about and tasting more vegetables and fruit, which is contributing to an improvement in their nutrition.
‘Pick of the Crop is a key program that underlines our Generation Queensland (GenQ) vision for all Queensland children born today to experience better health outcomes than the generations before them,’ Dr Littlewood said.
‘Good nutrition, along with regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, are vital to making this happen.
‘We are proud of the success of Pick of the Crop and that it is now supporting more than 23,000 students at 108 schools across Queensland.
‘In the past 3 months alone, many new schools have enthusiastically signed up to the program. That Pick of the Crop continues to grow is a credit to everyone involved, especially the local implementation partners and regional coordinators.’
Earlier this year, Health and Wellbeing Queensland announced ambitions to support 100 schools this year following the recruitment of more Pick of the Crop local implementation partners, who host regional coordinators to engage with and support schools in creating a positive food culture across schools.
The success and expansion of the program owe much to the commitment and dedication of our valued local implementation partners including Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Darling Downs Health and South West Hospital and Health Service.
