Thanks to Matt Robinson of EATucation for an excellent planning session today in Otara. Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa has worked for more than 20 years in schools across Tamaki Makaurau, mostly at secondary level, delivering the hands-on GetWize2Health programme to areas most in need. We continue to update our well regarded, fully funded toolkit and train teachers in it's use, but it is only one part of a picture where there is massive space to fill.
Enter our newly developing partnership with the innovative (and super practical) EATucation programme. EATucation is an online platform (and app), providing evidence based specially designed resources for teachers to use at all curriculum levels focusing on "The Food Literacy Journey". On their website they state "With EATucation, we have the opportunity to ensure that all tamariki leave school with food & environmental literacy. Giving our tamariki the gift of food literacy can improve all New Zealanders' life-long health outcomes, build stronger, more resilient communities, and reduce our impact on Te Taiao".
We can't possibly disagree with any of that and are delighted that diabetes is to be part of the conversation. So today, lots of brainstorming and discussion had over the excellent spinach feta muffins (thanks Diana) and we have some first steps for joint mahi, including collaboration at an upcoming education conference.