Partner Article

Healthy eating campaign spreads from North East

A healthy eating programme which was trialled successfully in the North East of England is to be expanded nationwide, it has been announced.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham launched a new nationwide campaign, Change4Life, to try to get more people interested in healthy eating.

Corner shops involved will each appoint a fruit and vegetable adviser, and in some cases schools will get vouchers for free apples or bananas instead of sweets or crisps.

Mr Burnham made the announcement during a visit to a Spar shop in Blakelaw, Newcastle, where he helped young children prepare fruit salad.

“We all know we need to get more fruit and veg in our diet but getting your ‘five a day’ can be a real challenge,” he said.

“Having a selection of fresh fruit and veg available at your local corner shop makes it that little bit easier.

“The scheme going nationwide is fantastic news for everyone - a boost to local customers’ health and to shopkeepers’ profits.”

The pilot scheme began with 12 shops last November. Over nine months, an additional 88 shops joined the programme and sales of fresh fruit and veg increased on average by 40%.

The expansion of the programme has been possible because of a partnership with the Association for Convenience Stores.

Chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops are at the heart of communities, and Change4Life’s help in improving the fruit and vegetable on offer in these stores can make a huge difference to the diet choices that people can make.

“The project focused on the North East of England has already brought significant benefits to retailers and their customers, and the growth of the project is a big step forward.”

The results of the campaign are a welcome boost to the North East’s healthy eating reputation, after recent figures showed that the region’s shoppers spend very little money on healthy food.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .