Healthy options for school canteens

Futurefoods, the leading national supplier to school canteens, has launched a range of products for back to school 2008. The products have been developed or reformulated in response to the government’s Food & Beverage Classification System that comes into force this year.


The Food & Beverage Classification System sets out healthy options for people involved in selecting food and beverages for catered meals, tuck shops, vending machines, sponsorship deals, fund-raiser events and rewards.


The futurefoods range includes 12 ‘everyday’ items, appropriate for everyday consumption, and 53 ‘sometimes’ items. All of these food and beverage products can be sold through the school canteen. Some of the ‘everyday’ items include an innovative pie with bread instead of pastry, pizzas and calzones, butter chicken wrapped in naan style bread and a bacon & egg panini.


“We have come up with some cool products that not only are healthy but are unique and great tasting with fun packaging that appeals to kids” comments Martyn Barlow, General Manager of futurefoods.


“We aim to release at least two new products every term so schools always have access to a wide range of healthy options and can update their menus regularly”.


Many schools and canteen operators felt the Food & Beverage Classification System would make it difficult to find appropriate products for school canteens. A positive response from some food suppliers, like futurefoods, means they have embraced the system and in fact make it very easy for schools to source healthy products for the canteen.


www.futurefoods.co.nz

Background Information


futurefoods is a nationwide network of distributors set up specifically to provide schools with healthy and nutritious options to sell through their canteens or tuck shops.


With over 30% of children overweight or obese, futurefoods saw a need to market healthier foods and beverages and make them available to all schools in New Zealand. The company has been manufacturing and marketing healthier options for schools since Juicies were developed in the early 1990’s.


futurefoods products include popular brands such as Juicies, Moosies, Hot Bites, Rapperz, Cookie Tree and Cool Sips. All of the products in the futurefoods range have been developed specifically for school canteens and children and many have the Heart Foundation’s Tick of Approval.


futurefoods work closely with the Heart Foundation to ensure that all newly developed products meet strict nutrient criteria. These products will now also meet the guidelines of the Food and Beverage Classification System.


futurefoods also exports products to Australia for school canteens.


futurefoods distributors not only offer schools a range of healthier options but guidelines for menu planning and tips for marketing healthier products to children and young people. School canteen expos are held in every region each year and futurefoods sponsors school canteens though their SCIP programme with over $80,000 given to school canteens every year.


Award winning products –

Hot Bites Murphies

Massey University Food Awards 2006
Enterprise Award
Heart Foundation Tick Programme Nutrition Award
Bakery Products Award
Food Service Award


“In the first year that Hot Bites Murphies were released the Murphies sold instead of pies reduced saturated fat in the school food supply by 632kg.”


Rapperz American Style Hot Dogs

Massey University Food Awards 2004
Enterprise Award
Food Service Products Award


Rapperz Calzones

Massey University Food Awards 2002
Heart Foundation Tick Programme Nutrition Award


Juicies

Sial D Or 1992
Printpac UEB Food Awards 1992