Council develops healthy food and drink policy

Photo/File

As drinks with high sugar content could be banned from councils nationwide, Rotorua Lakes Council says it's been working on a policy to develop healthier options at its sites.

Proposed by the Hastings District Council at the Local Government New Zealand conference this week, the change could ban sugary drinks from council facilities and workplaces, as a way of encouraging good behaviour in their respective communities.

The Sugar Sweetened Beverages Policy was passed by 61 per cent of council delegates.

Council strategy and partnerships group manager, Jean-Paul Gaston, said
during the past six months the council's WorkWell committee had been working to develop a policy that "applies to food and beverages made available to council elected members, staff, visitors and volunteers".

He said it was expected to cover all council sites and activities, and the policy was yet to be finalised.

The Rotorua Aquatic Centre already had two vending machines that stocked zero/diet beverages and water, Mr Gaston said.

"In removing one vending machine and changing the products of the remaining two, the centre has taken the opportunity to offer healthier alternatives to their customers and have received good feedback about the changes."

In 2016, the Rotorua Sustainable Living Strategy was developed under the Sustainable Living portfolio, Mr Gaston said.

"A key objective of that strategy was for the people of Rotorua to have access to enough safe and nutritious food for a healthy and active lifestyle.

"In order to meet this objective, a number of actions were identified including developing a healthy food and beverage policy for the council venues, events and activities."

Mr Gaston said the WorkWell committee encouraged staff and visitors to make positive lifestyle habits through education and activities.

Nutrition and eye health seminars, 'walking Wednesdays' and council bikes for staff to use are some of the options available.