New research shows evidence that vegetables and protein are the two top food items being left out of school lunchboxes, despite being essential sources for sustained energy throughout the day. 

Russell D’Costa, CEO of Life Ed Australia said “Our national survey found that 78 per cent of parents believe that giving their kids enough energy for the school day is the most important factor when packing a lunchbox.” 

Life Ed and Woolworths are working together to find Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes once again, to encourage healthier food choices in the new year. The initiative is about involving the community and motivating students, parents and schools to take part. 

The four-week campaign was launched on 22 January and seeks to provide education on nutritional facts while offering practical, budget friendly lunch ideas. Schools are also invited to participate for the first time. 

“It’s about involving the whole community. Divide and conquer doesn’t cut it when it comes to embedding long-term learning and healthy habits. We need to work together - inside and beyond the classroom - to give Aussie kids the fuel and tools they need to make healthy choices in the future,” said Russell.

By taking a photo of their kids’ healthy lunchbox or education effort from schools, participants will be in the running to win a share of $12,000 in prizes. These prizes include Woolworths e-gift cards and Healthy Harold vouchers. The competition will be judged at the end of February and winners will be announced in April.

The initiative will introduce a range of materials to help aid in the collaborative effort of keeping this and future generations healthy. Several $5 lunchbox recipe ideas, tips on affordable swaps, tricks like batch cooking and hacks to keep food fresh for longer are all included. 

“A nutritious lunch is so important for little ones to help them thrive at school and at home. As Today’s Fresh Food People, we’re focused on how we can help make healthier easier for our customers, their family and the community,” said Sarah De La Mare, Head of Community and Sponsorship at Woolworths.