Council and its program partner, Atune Health Centres, are now planning delivery of the Healthy Lunch Boxes program.

“We expect to be able to deliver four six-week courses in school terms 2 and 3 this year,” a spokesperson for the council said.

“We will partner with two local primary schools to deliver the program, and then deliver the program through a community centre or library located on the east side of the lake and another located on the west side of the lake.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald,  said the $21,593 grant was aimed at reducing the amount of food wasted every year in NSW.

Households and businesses in NSW throw away almost a million tonnes of food every year which equates to about $1000 worth of food per household, Mr MacDonald said. 

“The Healthy Lunch Boxes program will teach parents and carers how to make healthy, affordable and waste-free lunches for their children, in an effort to reduce food waste and grocery bills,” Mr MacDonald said.

The money was part of the third round of the government’s  Love Food Hate Waste grants, he said.

Council said the project had plenty of merit.

“Enjoying a healthy, low-waste lunch box has many health and behavioural benefits for kids, and is good for the hip pocket of parents and carers,” they said.

“This program is being developed by a local practicing dietician and behavioural therapist to provide parents and carers with practical knowledge, skills and tips, and importantly engage and motivate kids on the healthy eating journey.”

Council’s city-wide waste audits show one-third of the material in the average garbage bin is food waste.

“The six-week program will be delivered four times and we hope to involve up to 100 Lake Macquarie families,” the spokesperson said.

The program would involve face-to face-workshops, educational resources and online support.