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What is Family Food Patch?


Family Food Patch is a Tasmanian program that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families by creating a network of motivated volunteer parents and community members, known as Family Food Educators. Family Food Educators are provided with training and information to assist them to address the common food and physical activity concerns of parents in their local community. They are then encouraged and supported to spread the message about healthy eating and physical activity in their local area. Since 2001, training has been provided to 287 parents and community/health workers in nearly 30 different locations throughout Tasmania.

Family Food Patch is a partnership program between the Child Health Association Tasmania and Population Health (DHHS). This initiative is funded by:

  • the Tasmanian Government through the Department of Health and Human Services
  • the Australian and Tasmanian Government, as a joint initiative under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.

 

Who are Family Food Educators?

Family Food Educators are volunteer parents and community members of any age with an interest in children’s nutrition and physical activity. Educators come from a variety of different backgrounds, are often already involved in their community or are interested in sharing their knowledge and experiences with other families. 

 

 

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What do Family Food Educators do?
They promote healthy eating and physical activity for children and families in their community.  They can do this in a number of ways, but mostly on an informal basis such as talking with friends and family; promoting healthy messages through their own role modelling; and sometimes by being involved with activities that include other parents in their community.

The program values all of the different ways Family Food Educators spread their message.  What they do depends on their interest, time, availability, and community needs. 

In 2011 we collaborated 15 Family Food Educator case studies in the Family Food Patch Storybook. This is a brilliant resource that demonstrates the scope of the program as well as celebrating the fantastic contributions of our volunteers.

 

Some examples include:

 

  • » Being a role model by enjoying healthy eating and being active with their  own family
  • » Discussing food issues with individual parents
  • » Showing parents how to prepare and cook some healthy recipes for children
  • » Including healthy eating and physical activity hints and ideas in parent and school newsletters
  • » Manning displays at local community events
  • » Giving talks to parent groups e.g. playgroup, schools, pram walking groups
  • » Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in schools, through healthy canteens, helping with school gardens and supporting the Move Well Eat Well program
 

 

Services


 

Latest News

NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TOY BOXES
Just a reminder that there are toy boxes full of children's toys, games, music and books for Family Food Educators to borrow. The toy box items are a great way to share healthy eating and physical activity messages with groups of children at community events or small gatherings.

The toys are in very large suitcases, you can borrow the whole set or one at a time. The suitcases are located in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. To find out what is in the toy box near you contact the Program Team.


CHILDREN'S GAMES
Family Food Educators are trained to work directly with parents; however some Educators are asked to run activities with children. These four games, which can be used for small or large groups of children, will give you some fun ways to share healthy eating and physical activity messages.

The resources include:

  • - Bingo – suitable for children aged 3 – 8 years
  • - Chatterboxes – suitable for children aged 8+ years
  • - Memory Game – suitable for children aged 3 – 6 years
  • - Fruit and Veg Cardboard Crowns – suitable for children aged 3 – 8 years

Family Food Educators can contact the Program Team to obtain a copy of the children’s games on a CD (see details under Contact Us).

How can I be involved?

If you are an individual or an organisation that is interested in participating or bringing the Family Food Patch training to your community, please contact the Program Team (see details under Contact Us).

Please note that the Family Food Patch program has very strong community support within Tasmania, and as such we get many more requests for training than we currently have the capacity to fulfil. The Program Team will be happy to discuss your request for training and advise you of our current commitments and plans.

Coming Events

Clarence Plains Training - April/May 2012

Places are available on the next Family Food Patch Educator training sessions due to start at the newly opened Clarence Plains Child & Family Centre on Monday 23rd April. This is a wonderful free program which shares information in a fun and supportive way on healthy eating and physical activity for families. Here are the details for the training sessions and an information sheet on the program training itself. Places are limited! For more information or to request an Expression of Interest form please contact the Program Team.

 

 

 

 

Contact

Family Food Patch Program Manager ~ Emily Shepherd
Ph 0409 405 789
Email:
Post: Family Food Patch, PO Box 896, Devonport TAS 7310
Available: 10am - 2pm, Monday - Friday

Family Food Patch Program Officer ~ Emma Rowell
Ph 0499 058 509
Email: info@familyfoodpatch.org.au
Post: c/- Child Health Association, PO Box 366, Rosny Park TAS 7018
Available: Monday and Friday
 

 

 


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