The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has been highlighting the importance of healthy food and drink choices for children at breaktimes in its sponsorship of the Boost Better Breaks awards.
The scheme supports the consumption of better breaktime choices such as milk, water and fruit in pre–school groups throughout the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
Each year, children are invited to submit a piece of artwork to promote the healthy eating initiative and the competition celebrates these healthy choices.
Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland said:
“Through oursponsorship of the Boost Better Breaks competition we welcome the chance to work with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to highlight the importance that a good diet can play for a child’s health and development.
“Healthy eating habits can give children the best chance of doing well at school. Healthy snacks are part of this and milk can be a good choice, providing essential nutrients including calcium, protein, iodine and vitamins B2 and B12. We hope
that the scheme will also encourage children to develop healthy habits from a young age that they will continue into adulthood.”
Michele Oliver, Head of Dental Services at the Southern Trust said:
“We are delighted that the Boost Better Breaks awards this year took place during National Smile Month. By promoting healthier food and drink choices at break times we encourage children to make good decisions from an early age which will hopefully lead to a healthier future for them. We would thank all the pre–schools who made such an effort in participating in the Boost Better Breaks programme.”
This year’s winners were:
1st – Bella Bambinos Day Nursery, Dromore
2nd – Happy Faces Pre–School, Glassdrummond
Joint 3rd – Downshire Nursery School, Banbridge; Dunnaman Children’s Playgroup, Kilkeel
Pictured at the Boost Better Breaks Award ceremony are Leader Emma Henry and Evie Cowan from Downshire Nursery School, Banbridge with Michael Drayne, Dairy Council NI; Fionnuala Anderson Early Years Specialist and Ruth Finch, Dental Nurse, Community Dental Service