Healthy eating on the menu for youngsters

A cook and taste session at Castleton Primary School

Pupils at Castleton Primary School have been discovering how good healthy food can taste thanks to a scheme to promote healthy living.

As part of the NHS’ Change4Life campaign, two cook and taste sessions were held at the school - one for years 3 and 4 and the other for years 5 and 6 - with the Co-operative store providing the fruit for both events.

The school cook, Carol Haigherty, and Anna Dean, School Nutrition Advisor for the council, showed the pupils how to make fruit kebabs, muffins and smoothies before giving them the chance to sample the delicious results.

All the children enjoyed the sessions and took Change4Life recipes and information home.

The Co-operative store in Castleton is one of four shops across the borough which has signed up to the Change4Life retailer project. Managed and promoted by the Rochdale Borough Council’s Health Improvement Team, this aims to improve fruit and vegetable sales within participating stores by ensuring quality, range and freshness of the produce, while promoting their availability locally.

Anna Dean said: “The council’s school meal provider, Facilities Management, has supported the Change4Life campaign by encouraging more pupils to eat fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

“The two special events offered fun cookery sessions for the pupils and showed them how to make a variety of fruity treats.”

Information on Change4Life is also available at www.nhs.uk/Change4Life

The council’s Health Improvement team can be contacted on 01706 924187 while the Co-operative store in Castleton provides Change4Life top tips for shoppers.