Nutrition Fund

Introducing This Page

This page contains useful information about the Nutrition Fund, Government funding available for initiatives that promote healthy eating in schools and early childhood services.

Important Nutrition Fund Update

Information for Schools and ECEs Regarding Changes to the Nutrition Fund

May 20, 2009 - News Release

The Ministry of Health has spent the last few months refocusing the Healthy Eating - Healthy Action (HEHA) Strategy to achieve more of a balance between increasing physical activity and improving nutrition.

As a result, some of the HEHA funding from the Government to District Health Boards (DHBs) is being reprioritised for the 2009/10 financial year beginning 1 July 2009.

Ministry of Health funding for the DHB Nutrition Fund will be rolled into a combined Community Action Initiative and Nutrition Fund now totalling $6 million.

Ministry funding for DHB District Coordinator positions is also being reprioritised from 1 July 2009.

The Government is reinvesting this funding back into HEHA to support the establishment of a new physical activity initiative for school-aged children, which was part of a Government election commitment. Details of the new initiative will be announced by the Government soon.

Schools and ECEs will still be able to use the Food and Beverage Classification System as a tool for choosing healthy food and drink options. We recognise that numerous West Coast schools are successfully utilising the Food and Beverage Classification System and we encourage you to continue to do so.

The West Coast District Health Board will not progress with another Nutrition Fund round due to the Government's reprioritisation of HEHA funding. Dedicated support for current Nutrition Fund projects will continue to be available through the HEHA Team and Kim Hawkes will be available to assist with planning for the sustainability of existing projects for the remainder of this calendar year.

Please note that applications for the April 2009 Nutrition Fund round are currently being reviewed and applicants will be informed of the outcome in the next fortnight.

If you have any queries please contact Kim Hawkes. Kim's contact details are (03) 768-1307, Ext. 2, or
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