School children across the state are being encouraged to help design a new Crunch&Sip® mascot, following the retirement of WA’s beloved Vegie Man, a character designed in 2002 for the WA Department of Health’s Go for 2&5® fruit and vegetable campaign.
Cancer Council WA Schools Nutrition Senior Coordinator, Mikala Atkinson, said Vegie Man has inspired kids to eat more vegetables for 22 years, but on the 20 year anniversary of Crunch&Sip®, it was time for a fresh face to continue that mission.
‘With the tagline of ‘add an extra serve to what you already eat’, Vegie Man’s purpose was to encourage all West Australians to eat more vegetables,” Ms Atkinson said.
“With his early TV, radio, online, and outdoor advertising appearances, he quickly became well known across WA.
“Along the way he participated in the 2004 City to Surf, a 2020 dance competition, the 2021 Cancer Council WA mascot race, and was even seen rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Dame Edna, Noni Hazelhurst and Ernie Dingo in the early days.
“When the WA Go for 2&5® campaign ended in 2012, Vegie Man was invited into the Cancer Council WA Crunch&Sip® family to continue his mission to promote vegetable consumption in schools. His presence at Great Vegie Crunch events, regional roadshows, and other community events across WA saw his popularity grow among primary school students.”
Ms Atkinson said the search for a new mascot design to carry on his legacy and to encourage the next generation of healthy heroes is now open.
“To celebrate the 20 year anniversary of Crunch&Sip®, we would like to introduce a new mascot to encourage students to eat a variety of vegetables in all the colours of the rainbow. Eating the rainbow provides a great mix of the vitamins and minerals needed for good health,” she said.
“We encourage school children of all ages across WA to visit the Crunch&Sip® website www.crunchandsip.com.au and get involved.”
Registrations open 16 February 2025 and close 30 March 2025. Winners will be announced 3 April, 2025