R.H. Murray Public School won the grand prize in a recent contest offered by the Sudbury and District Health unit encouraging healthy eating — a “Fender Blender Pro” from Rock the Bike (a bike-operated blender).
A celebration event for the winners of the BrightBites Elementary School Contest took place Jan. 16, when the Fender Blender Pro bike was unveiled at R.H. Murray and all students got a chance to make themselves a smoothie using the blender bike.
"At R.H. Murray P.S., BrightBites provided us the opportunity to encourage our students to enjoy eating healthy foods that provide the best nutrition to fuel their young bodies,” said Lucille Salo, teacher and lead of Brightbites activities at R.H. Murray Public School.
“There is a whole new level of attention to packing lunches that include vegetables and fruits. It was so exciting to see our students actively respond challenges to eat healthy and be healthy! The word is out that children do like real food!"
Second place went to MacLeod Public School. The entire school will get to enjoy a salad bar as part of its celebration Jan. 18.
Third place went to Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School, which will receive an indoor tabletop garden as a prize.
“We are so thankful for the enthusiasm demonstrated by all the participating schools,” said Mélanie Gagné, a registered dietitian with the Sudbury and District Health Unit.
“It was a close race, and in the end, all the students were winners. They were able to see that eating well is fun and makes them feel good.”
BrightBites includes a provincial website meant to guide and inspire school leaders to help them make positive changes towards creating a healthier nutrition environment within their school.
Schools are encouraged to make changes to the foods they offer, rethink rewarding with food, and connect with champions within the community.
“R.H. Murray did exactly that, for example, they invited a parent chef to come in and show students how to properly cut up vegetables and fruit,” said Gagné. For a complete list of all claimed “badges” as part of the contest, visit the BrightBites’ Hall of Fame.
The BrightBites Elementary School Contest was offered by the Sudbury & District Health Unit as part of Greater Sudbury’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge in collaboration with schools in Greater Sudbury.
