The Fiji National University (FNU) in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts celebrated World Food Day this morning.

The theme for the 2018 World Food Day is “Healthy Child Promising Future – Promoting Health in Primary School settings”.

FNU’s Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in Dietetics and Nutrition at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr Pragya Singh said children are the main focus this year which led them to host the event at one of the renowned primary schools in Suva.

“This year’s celebration is held at the Samabula Primary School. It’s one of the first pilot schools in Fiji to implement certain programs in creating awareness and action to ensure food security,” she said.
Dr Singh highlighted that various other programs have been outlined by the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts.

“We want to create awareness around food problems amongst primary school students to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty,” she said.

Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts Permanent Secretary Alison Burchell who was the Chief Guest at the celebrations, informed the students about the significance of World Food Day.

“You all need to eat healthy, so that you stay healthy. It is important that you say NO to junk foods and food which is not healthy,” said Burchell.

The PS added that today’s event was organized to bring attention to how government and individuals can help combat hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.

Various educational activities and quiz competitions were organized for the students to better understand the need for healthy food.

Parents who took part in the healthy food preparation competition were also reminded by the Permanent Secretary that children need necessary nutrients for a healthy life.