Food Policy
Improving public diets has become a key concern of Government in recent years, and this includes improving people’s access to healthier foods. Since convenience stores are often at the heart of the community, they will have a significant role to play in improving the nation’s health.
The Department of Health is providing £200,000 in 2008 and £300,000 for the next two years to help local shops sell and promote fruit and veg. Twelve stores have already signed up to the pilot with the aim of 120 coming on board by next May.
In the North East 12.5 per cent of children aged 2-15 are obese, with a further 15.5 per cent qualifying as overweight. In adults 61 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women are overweight or obese.
Shops involved in the pilot will sell a wider range of fruit and vegetables and display them prominently within their stores. In return, the Department of Health will assign a project coordinator to work with each store and offer advice on maximising profits, minimising waste and displaying and promoting the new fresh produce to the local community. Shop keepers will also be able to link up with local initiatives, such as cooking clubs, in a bid to help their customers learn how to build fruit and vegetables into their diet.
A similar scheme is already up and running in Scotland. Local shops north of the border have seen an increase in profits ranging from 20 per cent up to as much as 400 per cent.
People living near the shops have reported that it has encouraged them to eat more fruit and vegetables.
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "We all need to aim to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day. But we know that can be a tall order - particularly if you live in an area where shops don't sell fresh fruit and veg.
"Around half of secondary school pupils tend to go to their local shop on the way to or from school to buy snacks, so it's essential they're offered a healthy option.
"Our aim is to help up to 120 local shops in the North East to sell good fresh produce. With this scheme everyone's a winner - people living nearby will be able to buy fresh fruit and veg and shop keepers should see their profits soar."
The pilot scheme forms part of the Department of Health's new Change4Life coalition. Change4Life is a lifestyle revolution involving thousands of local organisations and charities which will help mums, dads and families eat well, move more and live longer. Under the banner Change4Life, the Government is aiming to galvanise support from everyone in the country from grass roots organisations to leading supermarkets and charities.
The Department of Health has been working with ACS and its membership of key symbol groups in the North East, including Spar, Costcutter, Musgrave, Londis and Nisa Local to secure retailers for the pilot project. All retailers have agreed to match fund the Government's contributions.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "We are excited about being part of this flagship project which will be a kick start for the Change4Life coalition. Convenience stores trade at the heart of communities throughout the country and ensuring there is a strong selection of healthy, fresh produce on offer is an important step forward in tackling obesity."
The North East was chosen as the template region due to its poor general health record compared to other parts of the country, in particular with regards to low life expectancy and high levels of childhood obesity. Concentrating the initial phases of this activity in this region will contribute to the Department of Health's work to reduce health inequalities in England.
This announcement also comes as the North East hosts the first regional summit for the Change4Life coalition.
The participating convenience stores are located in Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Seaton, Gateshead, Hartlepool, County Durham and South Shields.
We will bring you updates as they happen on this scheme. To partake contact Edward Woodall on 01252 515001 or by email.