Pupils Encouraged To Eat Healthy Breakfasts In T-Shirt Slogan Competition

Entry deadline fast approaches for ‘Boosting Breakfast’

t-shirt slogan competition

CELEBRITY chef Paula McIntyre is challenging County Down primary school pupils to start the day the healthy way as the entry deadline fast approaches for the ‘Boosting Breakfast’ t-shirt slogan competition.

[caption id="attachment_42963" align="alignleft" width="390"]Celebrity chef and broadcaster Paula McIntyre (right) joins Alice Sheahan, safefood (centre) and Judith Hanvey, on behalf of the Public Health Agency (left) to urge local primary school pupil Eloise McKnight to start the day the healthy way as they help safefood and the Public Health Agency launch its ÔBoosting BreakfastÕ t-shirt slogan competition. Celebrity chef and broadcaster Paula McIntyre (right) joins Alice Sheahan, safefood (centre) and Judith Hanvey, on behalf of the Public Health Agency (left) to urge local primary school pupil Eloise McKnight to start the day the healthy way as they help safefood and the Public Health Agency launch its ÔBoosting BreakfastÕ t-shirt slogan competition.[/caption]

The competition – co-ordinated by safefood and the Public Health Agency  – challenges Key stage 2 pupils across Northern Ireland to come up with a slogan that ‘brings breakfast to life’.

The aim is to encourage children to start each day with a healthy breakfast and supports the key themes of ‘Eat, Taste and Grow’ – a free education resource developed in partnership by safefood and the Public Health Agency.

Fiona Gilligan, safefood’s Director of Marketing & Communications, said: “With around a quarter of children in Northern Ireland now overweight or obese, having a healthy breakfast is the most important start that children can have to their day – it helps them concentrate at school and gives them energy for being active. ‘Eat Taste and Grow’ helps children learn about food and healthy eating in a fun, interactive way and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of creative and inspiring slogans from children about the importance of a healthy breakfast.”

‘Eat, Taste and Grow’ uses four animated characters to encourage children to explore and understand how our food is produced, what is a healthy diet, and how food provides energy for being active.

Jennifer McBratney, Health and Social Wellbeing Senior Officer, PHA added: “Helping children learn and enjoy healthier eating habits early in life can produce health benefits which last for years. Once we become overweight or obese it’s very difficult to reverse it.

“The Public Health Agency recognises that schools play a vital role in contributing to the development of knowledge and skills necessary to make healthier food choices and laying the foundation for good eating habits which can then be carried through into adulthood. ‘Eat, Taste and Grow’ is an excellent resource that will help equip teachers to carry out this role and in turn enable children to make healthier choices.”

Celebrity chef and broadcaster Paula McIntyre is one of the judges of the competition with first prize being an exciting class cookery demonstration and trip to W5. Regional winners will receive a class trip to Streamvale Open Farm, Belfast.

Paula McInytrye, said: “Eating breakfast is important for everyone, but is especially so for children, and the ‘Boosting Breakfast’ slogan competition will help reinforce this message in a fun and interactive way by bringing to life how a healthy breakfast will give your body the energy it needs for the day.”

The closing date for entries is Friday 18 October 2013 and teachers can submit their classes entries via post by completing the entry forms issued to their schools.

For more information on the ‘Boosting Breakfast’ Competition and to access ‘Eat, Taste and Grow’ please visit

www.safefood.eu

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