We may be an airport, but no matter which side of the runway you’re on, we encourage everyone to implement measures that help them feel Plane Awesome, every day. To do this, we’ve partnered with business on site to bring you the best in health, from eating habits, to group fitness activities and more through Health and Safety month this October.

They say good health starts in your gut and that means a focus on good eating. Essendon Fields is fortunate to have LaManna Melbourne within the precinct, who prides themselves on providing fresh Australian grown seasonal produce alongside exceptional customer service.

Rachel Knight, nutritionist, chef and product developer at LaManna Melbourne, believes there are some simple rules which we can all follow to help improve our eating habits and as a result our overall health.

“We’re pretty lucky here in Australia. We can walk into a supermarket and are spoiled for choice with fruit and veggies. But despite the variety we have access to all year round, we should try to purchase seasonally,” said Rachel.

Essendon Fields in the spring time is all about the blossoms. In winter, the branches of the trees lay bare and try to reach out to any sun they can touch. In Autumn it’s all green spaces and golden leaves. Just like our precinct stands differently as the seasons roll through, so does the fruit and vegetables that dress our plates.

“Eating with the seasons encourages us to include an array of different fruits and vegetables on our plates, as we experiment and include different fresh produce in our diets. Eating a varied diet increases the vitamins and minerals we consume, improving our general health and wellbeing and potentially having positive effects on gut health,” she says.

“Sustainability is also a big driver encouraging us to eat seasonally. In order to access our favourite fruit and veg all year round, we have to interfere with natural growing seasons and source produce from around the world. This means that produce that grows in the Australian summer must be picked and shipped from across the world if we want to enjoy it in winter. By eating local, seasonal produce we are actively reducing food miles, whilst supporting natural and local farming practices, as well as local Aussie farmers,” she said.

Rachel also tells us that unlike out of season produce, which is often picked early so that it can be shipped and distributed from around the world, seasonal produce is picked at its peak, making it fresher, tastier and more nutrient dense.

“The taste! The biggest and best reason to purchase in season produce! When the conditions to grow are optimal, then likely so is the taste. Produce purchased in season are more likely to taste delicious and fresh – how we all love our fruit and veg I’m sure!”

Right now it’s spring, and for LaManna Melbourne at Essendon Fields that means vegetables such as asparagus, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, globe artichokes, rhubarb, snow peas, spinach and zucchini are all at their best. When it comes to fruit there’s an abundant and fresh supply of berries, grapefruit, lemons,  limes, imperial mandarins and strawberries.

“My role as a nutritionist is to impart my knowledge around the importance of consuming a balanced diet, and to work with our foodies in store to improve our healthy offering.  LaManna are in the process launching a new grab-and-go fridge offering that combines convenience with health. We’re also currently developing a healthy take home meal range that provides optimal nutrition without compromising on taste. And the juice and smoothie bar menu has  expanded to provide a greater variety, with the option to ‘enhance’ your drink to increase its nutritional profile,’’ Rachel said.

“LaManna has always prided itself on being the food hub of Essendon Fields, and more broadly, Melbourne’s North-West. We have always provided the community and staff at Essendon Fields with the best food, best produce and best service one can get and will continue to do so for years to come.”

Make sure you grab a FREE LaManna Melbourne Chimichurri Chicken or Tamari Tofu Bowl packed full of health at ‘Wellness Wednesday’ on Wednesday 5 October. 

BOOK NOW: ‘Healthy Life Starts With You’ Wellness Seminar & Movement Session

Essendon Fields Health and Safety Month | October 2022

We’re promoting all things health, safety, and wellness this October at Essendon Fields. From personal wellbeing, to safety at work and across our airport operations, we welcome our community to learn, engage and get involved. Visit more via www.ef.com.au/healthandsafety.