Convenience stores in deprived areas of England and Wales will be given help to sell more fruit and vegetables in a bid to stem the rising tide of obesity.
In a joint initiative between the Department of Health and the Association of Convenience Stores, the DoH will hand out £200,000 this year and £300,000 over the next two years.
With the funds retailers will buy new shelving, chillers and promotional material to encourage local people to eat healthily.
Phase one will begin this autumn in the north east and will be open to retailers in areas of deprivation or with little fresh fruit and veg on sale. It is hoped 120 stores in the area will be on board by May 2009.
A project co-ordinator will also be on hand to help stores maximise profits, minimise waste and link with local initiatives such as getting more children eating their 5-a-day.
The move follows a similar initiative launched in Scotland, which began with 10 stores and now has more than 500 on board.According to the DoH, participating retailers’ profits rose between 20% and 600% on fruit and veg.
“Children are more likely to get their sweets and fizzy drinks from their local shop and teenagers frequently use shops on the way to and from school and during lunchtimes,” said health minister Ivan Lewis. “This scheme will help them to think twice and maybe opt for a healthier option.”
The ACS was excited to be part of the project, said chief executive James Lowman, as c-stores provided “invaluable access to food and services for some vulnerable consumers”.
“Selling healthy food, and fruit and veg in particular, is an area where we have seen tremendous innovation and investment. Working with DH we have an opportunity to facilitate change in the most deprived communities.” Obesity causes 9,000 people to die prematurely every year and annually costs the NHS £4.2bn and the economy £16bn.
In a joint initiative between the Department of Health and the Association of Convenience Stores, the DoH will hand out £200,000 this year and £300,000 over the next two years.
With the funds retailers will buy new shelving, chillers and promotional material to encourage local people to eat healthily.
Phase one will begin this autumn in the north east and will be open to retailers in areas of deprivation or with little fresh fruit and veg on sale. It is hoped 120 stores in the area will be on board by May 2009.
A project co-ordinator will also be on hand to help stores maximise profits, minimise waste and link with local initiatives such as getting more children eating their 5-a-day.
The move follows a similar initiative launched in Scotland, which began with 10 stores and now has more than 500 on board.According to the DoH, participating retailers’ profits rose between 20% and 600% on fruit and veg.
“Children are more likely to get their sweets and fizzy drinks from their local shop and teenagers frequently use shops on the way to and from school and during lunchtimes,” said health minister Ivan Lewis. “This scheme will help them to think twice and maybe opt for a healthier option.”
The ACS was excited to be part of the project, said chief executive James Lowman, as c-stores provided “invaluable access to food and services for some vulnerable consumers”.
“Selling healthy food, and fruit and veg in particular, is an area where we have seen tremendous innovation and investment. Working with DH we have an opportunity to facilitate change in the most deprived communities.” Obesity causes 9,000 people to die prematurely every year and annually costs the NHS £4.2bn and the economy £16bn.
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