Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (HHTS) has announced the commencement of a Nutrition Pilot Program, which will aim to educate, raise awareness and encourage longer-term healthy eating among truck drivers.
The project was developed in partnership with Nutrition Australia in response to poor health outcomes among drivers.
According to a recent study by Monash University, 70 per cent of drivers surveyed did not meet the guidelines for a healthy and balanced diet.
The program focuses on heavy vehicle drivers and will run over a period of four months. During this period, HHTS will deliver educational content across social media platforms, its website and via existing partners who operate in road transport, warehousing and logistics.
The content has been designed to raise awareness about healthier choices and the benefits of healthier eating for both physical and mental health outcomes, while also offering practical tips and suggestions about making small but meaningful changes gradually.
According to Nutrition Australia CEO, Lucinda Hancock, more than three million Australians are living with anxiety or depression, and that changing the food they consume can have a significant positive impact on mood and mental health.
“The pilot aims to increase the driver’s awareness of healthy eating and influence their eating behaviours more broadly,” she said.
“By making small changes to what we eat on a day-to-day basis, we can reap many positive health benefits.”
To accompany this, 29 BP service centres across Australia will be offering freshly cooked healthier meals 24 hours a day, catering to the needs of those working in the logistics industries.
The menu will be permanently available at these sites and has had input from Nutrition Australia.
HHTS Director Industry Relations and Program Management, Melissa Weller, explained that the foundation is hoping to gradually make a difference in the health of heavy vehicle operators.
“We want to take small incremental steps toward improving understanding of how to make better choices when it comes to what truck drivers are consuming and demonstrate how these minor changes can make major and lasting improvements to overall health,” she said.
“The long-term goal is to roll out a national program that spans across the broader logistics industry, including warehousing and distribution centres where we can continue to share educational information, but also, influence on-site canteen suppliers and increase access to healthier foods.”
For a limited time, users of the Healthy Heads App will receive an instant $5 discount on the curated menu of healthier meal choices at participating BP service centres. Participating BP sites include:
- New South Wales: Beresfield, Eastern Creek, Jerilderie, Marulan Northbound, Marulan Southbound, Nambucca Heads, North Albury, Parkes, Potts Hill.
- Northern Territory: Darwin.
- Queensland: Aratula, Archerfield, Goondiwindi, Paget, Port of Brisbane, Toowoomba Westbound, Townsville.
- South Australia: Port Augusta, Wingfield.
- Victoria: Dandenong, Energy, Laverton North, Northpoint, Outbound Somerton, Rockbank Inbound, Rockbank Outbound, Truganina.
- Western Australia: Kewdale, Muchea.
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