Media release

Date: 18 October 2007

Healthy Eating On The Menu

Waikato District Health Board has adopted new catering guidelines that will ensure healthy choices are provided at all internal and external meetings or functions to foster a healthier environment for staff and visitors.

The new guidelines outline specific requirements for caterers as well as suggestions for a basic menu that support and align with the principles of the Ministry of Health's national Healthy Eating, Healthy Action (HEHA) campaign.

Waikato District Health Board HEHA Project Manager, Janet Hanvey says that for the project to gain credibility within the Waikato community, the DHB needs to demonstrate leadership in improving nutrition while still providing choice.

"The Waikato DHB regularly caters for functions that both staff and visitors attend and the food we provide is a very visual way to demonstrate this leadership.

"The new guidelines are the first of its kind for the DHB so rather than ruling out specific foods, they're more about defining our requirements from caterers and in some cases this only requires very minor changes.

Ms Hanvey says the new guidelines are a small but significant step in the right direction for the DHB.

"This is an important milestone in creating a healthier environment, particularly for staff.

"We certainly don't want to be seen as the food police by telling people what they can and cannot eat but we are looking out for their best interests." Ms Hanvey said.

The requirements include items such as:
 A selection of fruit and vegetables
 A selection of wholegrain bread, rolls and/or sandwiches
 Meat or chicken is to be lean
 Allow for vegetarians with 50% savoury choices to be non-meat or chicken
 Sweet or baked items to be small portions

The new suggested menu includes items such as:
 Wholegrain rolls or breads with fillings
 Selection of fresh fruit - minimum of one per head
 Muffins and scones - small servings and unbuttered
 Cheese and low fat crackers or low fat yoghurts.
 Sushi, low fat pizza, bread cases
 Crustless quiche, baked potatoes, low fat vegetable slice

HEHA is the Ministry of Health's strategic approach to improving nutrition and increasing physical activity of New Zealanders.

Its vision is to encourage the development of an environment and society where individuals, whanau and communities are educated and supported to eat well, live active lives, and maintain a healthy body weight.

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