Cancer Council WA sets out on tour of Midwest primary schools for the Great Vegie Crunch

Cancer Council WA embarked on a tour of the Mid West last week, teaching students to eat healthy as part of September’s the Great Vegie Crunch.

The event is open to all WA primary schools and aims to to increase students daily intake of vegetables.

Cancer Council WA Mid West regional education officer Aiden McDowell and Vegie Man attended St. Frances Xavier, Binnu, Dongara, Mingenew, Mount Tarcoola and Yuna primary schools.

Mr McDowell said he is delighted to see the continued growth of schools both registering for the Crunch&Sip program and the Great Vegie Crunch event, which is held in September each year.

“Since its inception in 2014 we have seen just over 158,000 kids participate in the Great Vegie Crunch,” Mr McDowell said.

“Not only that, but we now have almost 500 schools throughout WA registered as Crunch&Sip schools which is exciting news.

“These numbers are really encouraging for what we are trying to achieve, which is to educate children while establishing healthy eating habits for them early in life.”

St Francis Xavier Primary School assistant principal Judi Hollands said the program was an excellent way to introduce students to the importance of healthy eating practices which had a range of benefits including improving concentration levels in the classroom.

“The children tipped the crunch-o-meter off the scale by crunching as loud as they could with their friends. What better way to encourage kids to eat these essential foods than participating in fun events with their friends,” she said.