The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend two serves of fruit and five of vegetables for most primary-age children. And diversity is really important too.

So why do the colours of our fruit and veg count for kids?

• Green (folate, vitamin K) ➜ memory formation.
• Orange (beta-carotene) ➜ eye development.
• Purple (anthocyanins) ➜ brain cell protection.
• White (potassium) ➜ healthy blood pressure for active play.

Here are some of the ways that Catering Maitland boosts veggies in our Hunter Valley school canteens:

• “Rainbow wrap” days
• Hidden-vegetables in pasta sauce
• Fruit-first display: fresh produce at eye level

And here are some great tips for your school families and local community:

• Add grated zucchini to muffin batters

• Let kids pick a new veg when you do your shopping, ownership drives tasting.
• Prep carrot sticks on Sundays; store in water for crunch all week