Jesters Healthy Schools Programme

Media release
September 12 2005

JESTERS HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
GETS UNDERWAY IN KIWI SCHOOLS

Jesters Healthy Schools Programme is an exciting new initiative from Jesters to encourage healthy eating in schools.

As part of the healthy eating initiative, the Jesters Healthy Schools Programme is providing schools with the opportunity to win $2000 worth of sporting equipment, simply by giving their students the option of healthier pies!

With several schools already joined up, the Programme is proving popular with schools wanting to offer students a healthier choice at lunchtime.

Child obesity is an increasing problem for Kiwi kids, with a concerning number of children being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.

Helping children make healthier choices as part of a balanced diet is an essential step to combating these problems and this is where schools can get involved.

With ten Jesters pies awarded the Heart Foundation's Tick, schools can provide their students with a healthier alternative to regular pies. Increasing numbers of school tuck shops nationwide are choosing to stock Jesters pies.

Danny Harrison, Principal of Tauraroa Area School in Whangarei, says he is thrilled Tauraroa Area School has joined the Jesters Healthy Schools Programme.

"I'm delighted to explore all avenues of improving and encouraging good nutritional value in our school tuck shop," says Mr Harrison.

"We want to maintain a good nutritional balance in our school tuck shop and any initiatives have got to be positive and the Jesters Healthy Schools Programme is clearly that."

The Pick the Tick Program is the Heart Foundation's guide to help people healthier food choices quickly and easily. All Jesters pies have been independently tested and assessed against high nutrition standards before getting The Tick of approval. Routine testing ensures foods with The Tick continue to meet its strict guidelines.

Jesters is one of the few pie companies in New Zealand that has met the Heart Foundation's requirements to carry the Pick the Tick logo on ten of its pies.

Jesters Tick approved pies have met strict guidelines for saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. Furthermore, all pies have no added preservatives, artificial colourings, flavourings or MSG.

Mark Gumbrell, Director of Jesters, says "The team at Jesters are committed to Kiwi kids and providing them with healthier alternatives.

We are dedicated to making life healthier for students and letting them know that choosing a healthier alternative no longer means compromising on taste."

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