Healthy food and drinks are now front and centre to feed hungry swimmers at City of Ballarat pools.
Eat Well Feel Good Ballarat, a health initiative between the City of Ballarat and Ballarat Community Health, has now expanded to include all council-owned outdoor pools where food and drink is available.
The implementation of the healthy eating incentive follows community consultation that found people wanted more healthy food and drink options on the menu at council facilities and that price was a major factor when it came to purchasing decisions.
As a result, the City of Ballarat has made several changes at its outdoor pools, including promoting more healthy food and drink for sale, providing cheaper healthy options and repainting the Eureka outdoor pool kiosk area with Eat Well Feel Good branding.
The changes align with the City of Ballarat Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2031, which highlighted Ballarat's aim towards ensuring healthy and affordable foods are available at council managed facilities.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was crucial that Council played its role in promoting health and nutrition, particularly among younger people.
"As a Council we play a critical role in driving healthier food environments," he said.
"We can do this by improving access to healthy food and drink options, promoting healthy sponsorship and partnerships, and building local food systems to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people in their communities.
"Creating positive change in the local food system also presents wider health, social, economic and environmental sustainability benefits for the whole community."
The implementation of Eat Well Feel Good Ballarat at the City of Ballarat's outdoor pools follows the implementation of the project at Selkirk Stadium, which has seen more than 7000 young people who attend the facility on a weekly basis have access to healthier food.
The new, healthy food options are now available at Eureka, Black Hill, Brown Hill and Buninyong pools.
To learn more about Eat Well Feel Good Ballarat, visit the City of Ballarat website.
