No images? Click here ![]() In This Issue Healthy Lunchbox Week 2024 Packing a lunchbox for under 5's Lunchbox finger foods for under 5's Virtual menu planning training for cooks ECEC Menu Reviews ECEC Research Survey 2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses Recipes Access links ![]() Healthy Lunchbox Week 2024 Healthy Lunchbox Week is almost here! From the 4th - 10th February lunchbox inspiration is coming your way! The Healthy Lunchbox Week website features a range of user friendly recipes, fact sheets and guides, as well as videos. Be sure to inform families of this great annual initiative led by Nutrition Australia, which inspires Australian families to create healthy lunchboxes for their children. Packing a lunchbox for under 5's Children under 5 years of age are at different development stages when it comes to eating, and are learning to accept new tastes and textures. Exposing them to a variety of different foods is important, and making sure these foods are manageable and safe. For Healthy Lunchbox Week, we have a new resource with tips on packing a lunchbox for under 5's. Special considerations for children under 3 years of age:
Lunchbox finger foods for under 5's Lunchbox finger foods are often more manageable for younger children. Cutting sandwiches into smaller triangles or squares and chopping up fruit or veggies can make lunchboxes much simpler for little hands. We have created a resource for families to stick on their fridge so that they can have some inspiration on what to pack into a lunchbox for their little one. Children can get involved by looking at the pictures and choosing a lunchbox food for the day. Virtual menu planning training for cooks Do you want to sharpen your menu planning skills?We are holding another virtual menu planning training for cooks in February. Date: Wednesday 28th February This course will give you the foundational skills, knowledge and confidence to create menus with wholesome meals and snacks that meet children’s nutritional needs each day. You will learn about:
![]() ![]() ![]() ECEC Menu Reviews Have you had your menu reviewed recently? Reviewing your child care menu and nutrition practices will support your centre to meet the National Quality Standards, but more importantly, ensure the children in your care are receiving nutritious foods for growing healthy minds and bodies. We offer a few different menu review options: Level 1 Menu Review: Review of your menu to assess if it is meeting 50% of children’s daily food requirements. $550 + GST Level 2 Menu Review: Level 1 menu review + a review of infant feeding practices and all food and mealtime practices/ policies at the centre. $950 + GST Additional Mealtime Review: Ask us about adding on an onsite audit of mealtimes to support positive meal environments and feeding practices. The menu review process:
![]() ECEC Research Survey Help support research into promoting child health Researchers from Deakin University want to know how to support ECEC services with child nutrition and movement behaviours. To do this, they are inviting managers or leaders of ECEC services (Long day care, family day care, kinders) to complete a 15-minute online survey. Services highly attended by priority populations are highly encouraged to participate. The survey asks about what is currently provided regarding nutrition and physical activity, potential ways to provide support and implementation considerations. Participants may choose to go into a draw to win a $100 gift voucher. ![]() 2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses Food Safety Supervisor Full Course Cost: $385 This full-day face to face course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings and prepares food safety supervisors to supervise and oversee day to day operations and to prevent and recognise food safety hazards through nationally recognised training. Upon completion, students achieve a statement of attainment for the following units of competency:
Tuesday 6th February 2024 9am - 4pm Tuesday 19th March 2024 9am - 4pm If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible. If you are due to renew your food safety supervisor certificate in light of the new five year requirements, we are offering many recertification courses in 2024 as enforcement commenced 8th December 2023. This 3-hour face to face recertification course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings that have previously obtained a food safety supervisor certificate. Please note: you will be required to provide a copy of your previous statement of attainment upon registration in order to confirm your booking. Upcoming recertification course dates: Tuesday 27th February 9am - 12pm OR 1pm - 4pm Tuesday 26th March 9am - 12pm OR 1pm - 4pm If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible. ![]() Recipes This month we have two delicious 5-ingredient recipes to share: ![]() Access linksOnce logged in to the subscriber section of our website, access the following: ![]() Do you have a question for the Food Foundations team?Feel free to give us a call (07 3257 4393) or email through your questions to foodfoundations@naqld.org Nutrition Australia Qld Nutrition Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we work on and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. |