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Pick of the Crop

Getting kids to eat more vegetables and fruit.

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Program Components

It’s your pick—each school sets the direction

Pick of the Crop empowers schools to choose locally agreed actions, based on five components.

Farmer and food connections

Connecting school children with agriculture through local growers and producers and with local communities will help broaden student learning experiences in nutrition, agriculture, sustainability and First Nations perspectives. Enabling schools to make connections with farmers through classroom work, farm visits and other mutually beneficial opportunities is an ideal opportunity to promote local, improve access to fresh and healthy produce and support local economies.

Teaching and learning programs

Evidence-based nutrition programs and resources to improve student health will be explored, based on current actions and priorities for change in the school.

Vegetables and fruit at schools

Kids are inspired to eat more vegetables and fruit when they are exposed to them more often. This component will create opportunities to taste vegetables and fruits, and encourage ‘brain breaks’ in schools, to support kids’ bodies and brains to become fueled to learn and play better.

Healthy school environments

The whole school environment supports learning through its food supply, gardens, events and fundraisers. This component supports schools to enhance supply of vegetables and fruit in tuckshops, to plan and create school gardens, as well as maximise opportunities through school events to increase vegetable and fruit consumption. It offers professional development opportunities for teachers to increase food and nutrition knowledge and is consistent with the Smart Choices Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools.

Smart Choices - Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools
Parent connections

This component encourages parents and carers to create healthy lunchboxes for their kids, as well as offer healthy choices at home. Consistent messaging around nutritious food between school, home and beyond is linked to improved health outcomes for kids and families. Linkages with community-led programs or groups and local P&Cs will also be explored and developed.

Last updated 11 April 2022