Students shop for healthy produce

By Dion Teasdale
HEALTHY eating, fresh produce and learning about shopping locally are all part of the curriculum at St Brigid’s Parish School in Healesville.
The school’s prep students are studying a unit called Munch Crunch and have been taking part in a number of hands-on healthy eating learning experiences.
Late last month the students went on an excursion to visit local family-owned and operated food businesses to learn about fresh regional produce and good nutrition.
Businesses that took part in the excursion included Toscano’s Fruit and Vegetables, the Healesville Hotel, Main Street Quality Butchers and Yarra Valley Pasta.
During the excursion students were invited to taste-test local produce, heard about the values of the shopping from small family-run businesses and were given samples of healthy food to take home.
Toscano’s Fruit and Vegetables gave each student a show bag filled with fresh fruit, including bananas, pears and apples, and healthy eating information.
Prep teacher, Judy O’Halloran, said the excursion was an invaluable study experience.
“This is a really great way for the students to learn about the range of fresh produce available locally, and about the families who run food businesses in town,” she said.
“The study unit is also teaching the students about good nutrition and this will hopefully help them make healthy food choices in the future.”
Frank Toscano, whose family has run its fruit and vegetable shop in Healesville for the past 40 years, said the excursion was good for local businesses.
“This is a great way to promote traditional shopping practices and introduce a new generation to the benefits of shopping locally,” he said.