Parents support school nutrition policy

By Sheria Brathwaite

The Ministry of Education is getting thumbs up for introducing a policy in schools to encourage children to live healthier lifestyles, despite concerns about the high cost of healthy foods.
That was the consensus when Barbados TODAY spoke to some parents and vendors about the National School Nutrition Policy which prohibits students from consuming unhealthy foods in school that took effect on Tuesday.
“I support the idea and I like that the School Meals Department is offering fruit with meals so that children whose parents may not be able to afford fruits will get a snack too,” said Stepheno Reefer who has two children at Bayley’s Primary School in St Philip.
“I also like the idea because it will eventually help the children stop eating so much junk food, and cutting down on the snacks means they won’t be so hyper.”
“I think the vendors have to get more creative, though, and sell fruit kebabs with different types of fruit as pretty things tend to attract children. They also can sell fruits in packages with little toys because some children, like my three-year-old son, like to buy candy with toy cars and trucks. So, if they replace the sweets with fruits the children will want them,” the father added.
Over at Hilda Skeene, also in St Philip, Shakera Brathwite suggested that retailers should work with the Ministry of Education to implement the nutrition policy.
She noted that the high cost of healthy foods was a hindrance.
“It is not that I am against the policy, I just have a few concerns. It is difficult to find pure fruit juices and they are expensive. To even buy fruit sufficient to blend each day is expensive. So this policy requires you to have a big budget,” she said.
“Maybe if you could get fruits and healthy snacks on specials like they do with other snacks at the supermarket, people would be more inclined to buy them. We also have to consider single mothers who buy things to last a long time. It is more economical to buy a gallon of mauby that can last two and a half months than to buy a case of Cranwater that may only last one month.”
At Charles F Broome Memorial Primary, parents reported that the transition was easy as the Government Hill, St Michael school already had a policy prohibiting some snacks on the premises.
“Certain snacks are not allowed in the school, like corn curls, so this is not a major adjustment. From nursery, they couldn’t bring snacks period, and they were only allowed to drink juice with their lunch,” said Richard Rollock. “So this is something they are accustomed to and we think it’s a step in the right direction. The country would get away from certain diseases and I think this is something that goes without any debate.”
However, as it relates to school meals, the parents said that could be a challenge as children were “picky”.
“They may struggle with it but they either eat it or don’t eat it, that’s how I see it. After a while, they would decide if they are going to stay hungry or not. When my wife cooks we give them something healthy but it is easier for them to take school meals so we won’t have to cook every day. So, eventually, they will adjust and when they see the other students eating they will eat too,” said Adrian Gomes.
Ann Boyce, a vendor at Charles F Broome Primary, said that she had no issues with offering healthier alternatives.
The snacks on her tray included plantain chips and other healthy crisps.
“With anything, you have to expect change so you have to work with it as best as possible. Since last term, I was told about the policy so I tried to incorporate low-sugar natural juices like sorrel and mango and I added more water in the cooler…. So at the end of the day, it’s about the health of the nation and we as adults can do the best we can. It will be a challenge but it can work out,” she said.
Verna Boyce, a vendor at St Giles Primary School in the Ivy, St Michael, said she did an experiment last term and after realising what the students liked she continued offering those for sale.
“I sold grapes and strawberries and it went really well. It is working so I now have to try bananas and other things,” she said.
Some of the healthier options on her tray were grapes, popcorn, cornflakes, granola bars and sweet potato chips.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb