Largest NZ programme to fight child obesity kick started

Largest NZ programme to fight child obesity kick started at 2016 Warehouse Group Gala Dinner

Left-right: The Warehouse Group CEO Nick Grayston, Founder Garden to Table Catherine Bell, Chief Executive Life Education Trust John O'Connell.

A new programme to fight child obesity in New Zealand was tonight made possible with more than $765,000 in funding from The Warehouse Group’s Gala Dinner.

The Empower programme will be run by not-for-profit partners, Life Education Trust and Garden to Table, and will benefit 32,000 children in 170 NZ schools over a two year period.

Life Education Trust Chief Executive John O’Connell said through classroom and practical hands on learning the programme is designed to equip and empower children with the knowledge of a balanced diet, meal planning, key nutrients and how to grow and cook healthy food.

“Through Empower, we want children to understand where food comes from and the importance it plays in our health so they can take that knowledge back to their families and communities.

“Child obesity levels in New Zealand stand as the third highest in the OECD with one in three being obese or overweight.

“Gaining the support of The Warehouse Group and its suppliers and business partners, who each year make a significant contribution to community development, has ensured our innovative programme can go forward,” said Mr O’Connell.

Garden to Table Executive Officer Linda Taylor said the vision for the Empower programme is ‘Empowering children with knowledge to take action and create lifelong healthy habits’.

“Although the Empower programme has been scoped for an initial two years, it is hoped that, based on results achieved and further funding, it could continue into a third year and beyond with more than 250 schools completing the programme.

“The primary objective of the programme is to create a comprehensive and sustainable programme to reduce child obesity in New Zealand,” said Ms Taylor.

Last night’s event was The Warehouse Group’s 25th annual charity dinner and supplier awards. Special guests at the black tie event included a number of MPs including Associate Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and the Chair of the Parliamentary Health Select Committee Simon O’Connor, as well as suppliers and business partners of The Warehouse Group and leaders in the community sector.

The Warehouse Group Chief Executive Nick Grayston said the recipients of this year’s Gala Dinner funds are about to provide a programme that has the potential to make a significant difference to New Zealand communities.

“We’re proud to be able to facilitate what is one of New Zealand’s most important charity events, but it is our suppliers and business partners that get behind it to raise money for what is always an important cause,” he said.

In addition to raising funds to support community development, the Gala Dinner presented the company’s Supplier Awards and acknowledged The Warehouse Group’s Community Hero for 2016, Kiri Swannell.

Additional information including videos and fact sheets can be found via dropbox here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wzosssxxg8068o2/AABqTxJwhQdzk6eBfT03dBZ8a?dl=0

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