Antony Perry
28 May 2018: Design students from the University of Canberra have teamed up with their culinary contemporaries at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) to tackle childhood obesity.
Students from the two institutions partnered to develop healthy food options for sports canteens in the ACT as part of the ACT Government’s It’s Your Move initiative, which is aimed at improving the health of school children.
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Members of Team Hummus, which will have its product idea considered for production by local food companies. Image: supplied
More than 32,000 children between the ages of five and 14 are involved in organised sport in the ACT.
Member for Murrumbidgee Chris Steele said ensuring children have access to healthy food at weekend sport was a priority for the Government. He said collaborative projects such as this were important to achieving that goal.
“We know that obesity is a complex issue and there is no simple solution to tackling it,” Mr Steele said.
“Our environment, including shops, workplaces, schools and media, influences food and drink preferences…it’s important to consider innovative ideas that can influence the environment to promote healthier food and drink options.
“The creative pitches that we heard…really highlights the importance of engaging young people in a conversation about a healthy lifestyle and what it means to them.”
CIT students were tasked with coming up with food solutions, while University of Canberra students developed the packaging designs for the products.
The top solutions were presented to ACT Government ministers, design professionals and representatives of well-known food brands.
Team Hummus, which included University of Canberra graphic design students Mikaela Norris, Adrian Tjahjana, Edward Manning and Xuan Zhao, won with their Uncle Chuck’s Hot Pocket item.
“I would like to thank the University of Canberra and CIT who collaborated with the ACT Government to bring this great project to life,” Mr Steele said.
“I am pleased to say that the competition has generated some incredibly creative ideas from our local tertiary students.
“We would now welcome interest from local companies to get behind these young entrepreneurs and support the production of these healthier products for the marketplace.”
