Mayo lunch club makes for a healthy bunch!

Scoil Naisiunta Dhumha Thuama in Doohoma, Co. Mayo, has been named Healthy Heroes School of the Month for May 2023 thanks to the students’ efforts in promoting healthy eating.

It is among hundreds of primary schools across the island of Ireland that are participating in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club initiative from the Irish Bread Bakers Association (IBBA) and Bord Bia, which aims to educate children on nutrition, physical activity and how to improve their lunchtime habits.

Designed by teachers and behaviour change experts with the support of Dr. Mary McCreery, one of Ireland’s foremost consultant nutritionists and dieticians, the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club gives children the opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork and communication skills, all while learning to stay active and eat healthily.

Now in its ninth year, the successful programme allows both pupils and teachers to learn all about lunchtime nutrition, helping to boost children’s activity levels, all whilst having lots of fun in a non-competitive environment.

The programme involves a novel peer learning approach with sixth class students mentoring younger students on the importance of nutrition and being active. This provides the younger children with important role models, while the older children have an opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Linda Barrett, teacher at Scoil Naisiunta Dhumha Thuama, said: “Through the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club the children have really become more aware of their eating habits and now have a better understanding of the nutritional benefits that certain foods provide. It was lovely to see the interaction between our older and younger classes, with the senior students really gaining in confidence while helping the younger students, encouraging them to be more mindful of what they eat.”

Sarah FitzGerald, who oversees the programme on behalf of the IBBA, commented: “It is encouraging to see the positive feedback from Scoil Naisiunta Dhumha Thuama. We’re delighted to see that Healthy Heroes is helping to make a real difference. School lunchtime is an important opportunity to develop positive attitudes towards food choices and nutrition. Incorporating healthy eating habits from a young age and in a playful environment is a vital steppingstone to their future food habits.”

For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit Irishbread.ie or email healthyheroes@realnation.ie.