Survey prompts healthy eating campaign in Kawerau

1 MARCH 2007

Survey prompts healthy eating campaign in Kawerau

Kawerau families are being encouraged to take advantage of yummy fruit and vegetables. Toi Te Ora – Public Health is kicking off a new health promotion campaign, which aims to improve family nutrition by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

A recent survey of 90 local Kawerau residents found 75% were aware of the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables but only 60% felt their families were consuming enough to gain the benefits.

“The majority of the group surveyed said they were willing to try different fresh fruit and vegetables if they were offered on special and if information describing what to do with the food is close at hand, preferably from someone face to face,” says Health promoter Richard Kavanagh.

The Toi Te Ora – Public Health initiative involves two food tasting sessions every week for 10 weeks at Kawerau New World.
The demonstrations include recipes for easy-to-make, inexpensive meals. A competition will also run during the health promotion campaign where prizes include a zip slow cooker, fruit platters and spot prizes. The campaign supports the ‘Fruit and Vegetables are your Friends’ Livesmart campaign as seen on TV, with in-store, radio and newspaper advertising.

“It’s important to identify the wants and needs of the Kawerau community and deliver healthy information appropriately,” says Richard Kavanagh. “We hope the Kawerau community enjoys these fun and informative sessions and we hope to see an increase in the amount of fruit and vegetables being consumed.”

The food tasting sessions are every Wednesday and Thursday 10:30am - 1:30pm, Kawerau New World from 7 March until 10 May.

Toi Te Ora – Public Health is working closely on the campaign in conjunction with Kawerau New World, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora Trust, Kawerau PHO and the Cancer Society.

ENDS

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