Shops to be funded in health food drive

7:54am Thursday 14th August 2008

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A NATIONWIDE scheme which will see shopkeepers paid to promote fruit and vegetables is being launched in the North-East.

The move is part of an £800,000 Government-backed drive to make them more widely available in deprived areas.

The North-East was chosen for the launch because it has poorer general health than in many other parts of the country and seven out of ten adults who live in the region are not eating the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

A similar scheme in Scotland, which started with just ten stores and which now has more than 500 signed up, has increased fruit and veg consumption among residents.

On a visit to the North-East yesterday, Health Minister Ivan Lewis revealed that corner shop owners in the region will be the first to benefit from the scheme.

The money could be used for new shelving, chiller cabinets and promotional information to urge people to eat more healthily.

The corner shop project, which will cost £200,000 in the first year and £300,000 in the two following years, will start in the North-East this autumn, with the aim of getting 120 stores in the area on board by next May.

As part of the package, shopkeepers who sign up to the scheme will be asked not to sell unhealthy snacks such as sweet, crisps and fizzy drinks.

A project co-ordinator will work with the stores to ensure the scheme is a success.

Speaking during a visit to the new Bunny Hill health centre, in Sunderland, Mr Lewis said: “We know that families in some communities still use the corner shop on a daily basis for their food and other household goods.

‘‘It is therefore essential we take healthy eating options to these stores and reach those families who are at the greatest risk of poor health due to a poor diet.

‘‘Consumer habits are shifting.

People shop around at different outlets several times a week, so it’s important that people have the opportunity to buy fresh fruit and vegetables where it is convenient for them.”

The initiative will be branded with the Change4Life logo, a new Government scheme that co-ordinates projects aimed at helping people lead healthier lives.

Children and obesity manager Roselle Oberholzer, of Public Health North-East, said: “We are delighted the Department of Health has decided to launch this project here.

“The national fruit and vegetable scheme aimed at four to six-year-olds already operates in more than 99 per cent of the eligible schools in our region – and several schools have chosen to extend it to Key Stage Two children as well.

“But we still have consistently low uptake figures for the five-a-day initiative to encourage more people to eat fruit and vegetables.

“We know that one of the problems is that some people have difficulty obtaining them, so this project can only help.”