Motherwell pupils complete healthy eating challenge

The challenge, involving 160 first year pupils, was this year supported by the school meals provider Pasta King. Youngsters were given the task to design and market a nutritious pasta sauce to promote a positive attitude towards healthy eating. The ceremony saw the pasta supreme team crowned for their healthy supreme southern grilled chicken meal. Student Anouchka Valaydon was praised for her individual performance. This healthy eating project was formed as part of a food product development course for first year Home Economics students. Pupils were asked to design, develop and market a healthy and tasty pasta sauce that meets the requirements of the 'Healthy Eating in Schools Scotland Act' and may be sold in the school's canteen. Each team member was assigned to a business role ranging from food technologists to nutritionists, market researchers and label designers. Catherine Muir, principal teacher of Home Economics at Dalziel High School, said: "We aim to educate students about the benefits of a balanced diet. Setting up a healthy eating challenge with the support of our school meals supplier, Pasta King, provided a real life context to this project. Students approached the challenge with a lot of enthusiasm. "Their work clearly indicates they understand the importance of combining various nutrients to compose a balanced meal. The project fit perfectly with the rest of the activities we have run during our Annual Health Fayre and we are proud of the active part students have taken throughout the week."