5+ADAY campaign proves fruitful

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 658, 15 October 1996, Page 11

5+ADAY campaign proves fruitful

According to recently released figures spending on fresh fruit and vegetables in New Zealand is on the increase. Annual expenditure on fresh vegetables has risen by a phenomenal 1 1 per cent with the spending on fresh fruit rising 2.53 per cent since 1995 according to the recently published Statistics New Zealand Household Economic Survey figures. These positive results are timely with the launch of the 1996, 5+ADAY week in primary schools this week. Lawrie Hart, spokesman for United Fresh, the group of companies behind 5+ADAY, is delighted with the increase in consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. "Health professionals are concerned about the increasing expenditure on meals out and takeaways," says Mr Hart. "But these 1 996 statistics show that theS+AD A Y message, which encourages New Zealanders to eat and enjoy five or more servings of fresh fruit and vegetables everyday, is really working." "Although changing lifestyles mean increasing time pressures and decli ni ng cooking skills consumers still want to eat healthy

food and that is where fresh fruit and vegetables come in," says Mr Hart. The week is part of the on-going campaign supported by the Ministry of Health, the Nutrition Foundation, Cancer Society, National Heart Foundation and funded by the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry, aimed at increasing New Zealanders' consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. 5+ADAY week activities will include a nationwide colouring competition. "The 5+ resource kit activities are visual and fun. Teachers can use this enthusiasm in the classroom in lessons based around 5+ADAY,'" says Mr Hart. The increase to five days of 5+ADAY means that this year an even larger number of schools will be able to participate in this annual event. The successful resource kit from the previous two years will be extended to allow teachers to focus on different aspects of fresh fruit and vegetables and vary learning areas on each of the five days. New material includes activities incorporating language, music and art. Last year 1 50, 000 primary school children took part in the 5+ADAY nationwide campaign.