Teacher First Ever Winner Of Nutrition Award

A school teacher from Auckland has won a prestigious nutrition award for the research she is doing on food literacy education.

Wendy Slatter, Head of Food Technology at Epsom Girls, picked up the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation and Kellogg New Zealand 2011 Nutritionist Development Award last week. Slatter becomes the first teacher to win the award in its 15 year history.

Wendy Slatter is Head of Food Technology at Epsom Girls in Auckland and currently undertaking a PhD at University of Auckland.  A former recipient of a Royal Society of New Zealand Teacher Fellowship, Slatter is a leader in her field.

Slatter’s research aims to establish what makes us ‘food literate’ – that is, having a better knowledge of food and how to apply that knowledge.  Food education is compulsory in New Zealand, but recognising the most effective and relevant form of that education is less clear cut.  Slatter argues clarifying ‘food literacy’ is crucial. “We have to know what it is about food we actually need to teach,” Slatter says. “Focused teaching practices to increase food literacy will help to improve the nutritional status of New Zealanders by making them more aware of the food choices in their everyday lives.”

Slatter plans to use her award to attend the 2012 Schools Nutrition Association conference in Denver, gaining insight and inspiration from the gathering of over 3000 school nutrition professionals.

Sue Pollard, CEO of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation says the Foundation is excited to award such an innovative teacher.  “Wendy’s concept of food literacy will re-focus the future of nutrition education in New Zealand schools,” Pollard commented.

Julian Ng, Marketing Manager, Kellogg New Zealand says this award helps to recognise and support outstanding local talent working in nutrition. “As a teacher, Wendy moves this award into an exciting new area of nutrition. Kellogg’s is delighted to be supporting her research and passion for improved nutrition education in New Zealand,” says Julian.

Kellogg’s has been a long term supporter of the Nutritionist Development Award, which was first established in 1995 to promote professional development for those working in New Zealand in the field of nutrition.  Past winners have gone on to work in areas such as public health, the food industry and academic research.