March is Veggie Month, and Northern NSW Local Health (NNSWLHD) is encouraging early childhood education and care services and parents to take on weekly veggie challenges.

Veggie month helps to increase children’s vegetable intake through exposure to vegetables in a fun way.

NNSWLHD Acting Director Aboriginal Health, Oral Health and Health Promotion, Cameron Johnson is looking forward to the campaign again this year.

“Last year, more than 55,000 children from 870 early childhood services took part in Veggie Month across NSW, and our local Health Promotion Team led this statewide initiative,” Mr Johnson said.

“Following Veggie Month, educators said children were more willing to try both familiar and unfamiliar vegetables.

“Veggie Month is a fun way to engage children, educators, and parents in small changes that can make a big difference. This year we hope children get involved at home too.”

Data from the NSW Population Health Survey shows that in 2023-24, just one in 20 (4.2%) children and adolescents aged 2 to 15 years meet the Australian Dietary Guideline recommendations for daily vegetable intake.

The data also showed fewer children met the vegetable recommendations compared to 2014-15. 

The Australian Dietary Guideline recommends 2 and a half to 5 and half vegetable serves each day for children, depending on their age, to ensure good nutrition that supports growth and development.

Veggie Month encourages this, with one Veggie Month home challenge running each week. Challenges include asking children to help prepare vegetables, choosing one vegetable for a snack, or to eat the rainbow by trying different coloured vegetables.

As part of the campaign, participating early childhood education and care services in NSW will also receive a resource pack to bring vegetable-based activities to life. Children are exposed to vegetables through science experiments, games, songs, stories, art, discussions and gardening.

Veggie Month isn’t just for young children. Anyone can jump on board, with the weekly challenges shared each Sunday evening on NNSWLHD’s Facebook page.

To get involved in Veggie Month challenges during March, followwww.facebook.com/northernnswlocalhealthdistrict

For additional resources for families and early childhood education and care services, go to the Munch & Move website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/munch-and-move