Potatoes scrub up well for hot, healthy lunch

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Calton Hill Primary School pupil Reyana Wilson (8) tucks into a baked potato at school. Photo by Craig Baxter.

The humble spud got the healthy tick from Dunedin's Calton Hill Primary School pupils this week.

Every Thursday is healthy lunch day and, thanks to the Otago District Health Board and Potatoes New Zealand, baked potatoes were on the menu this week.

Children chose between cheese, sour cream, baked beans, salsa or corn for their toppings, and the hot meal went down a treat.

Take-home packs were distributed so they could enjoy potatoes at home with their families as well.

Healthy Eating Healthy Action manager Rosie Gordon believed "every child should know how to cook a potato", as they were a cheap and easy meal.

Principal Glenda Jack said it was a great idea and went well with the school's philosophy of creating confident cooks and encouraging children to try a variety of foods.

Next term, pupils from 20 other Otago schools will be involved in the initiative.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz [2]