Government ministers have led the praise for the 21 winners of this year’s Schools Lunch Challenge.

The initiative, which is part of the Premier’s Youth Fitness Programme, sees students judged on the nutritional content of the lunches they take to school.

This year is the fourth year of the challenge, and the first year that four of the schools had every student participating.

“When you eat healthy food it makes you grow, it makes your brain work better and it gives you energy,” Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, told the winners.

“I am proud of all of you, and everyone else at your schools who joined in because everyone who participated in the School Lunch Challenge is doing something great for his or her body and brain.”

The Schools Lunch Challenge is sponsored by the Argus Group and supported by the Bermuda Dietitians Association and the Ministries of Education and Health.

Cole Simons, the Minister of Education added: “You students are my conscience. Parents, listen to your children. They have really learnt a great deal about how to eat healthy, nutritious food.”