Improving what's in the lunchbox in child care centres

Issue addressed: Nutrition and food handling policies and practices in long day care centres where food is brought from home (LDC FFH). Method: Needs assessment findings plus lessons learnt from previous childcare projects were used to develop strategies specific to the LDC FFH setting. These were implemented in 21 such centres and evaluated in 15 of these centres using a pre/post assessment of: food provided (mostly by parents), staff food safety practices; centre nutrition and food handling policies; and staff knowledge. Results: Statistically significant improvements were seen in the adequacy of the food provided, food handling practices and nutrition and food handling policies. Conclusions: This multi-strategic intervention was effective in improving food provided for children and food safety practices in this setting. (author abstract)