Bailiwick takes on initiative to get more veg on kids’ plates
EFFORTS are being made to get more veg on children’s plates.
Veg Power, a new promotional initiative in the UK, is being brought to the Bailiwick.
The new Health Improvement Commission has picked up the campaign to start off its planned work to support parents in boosting vegetable eating among children and young people.
Health Improvement practitioner at HIC Lucy Whitman said vegetables often miss out on the impact marketing can have on sales yet they play an important role in ‘powering up’ the next generation.
‘We are excited to see that, already, we have had positive responses from early years settings, schools and supermarkets, keen to be involved in giving veg a better chance of being on children and young people’s plates,’ she said.
Castel Reception teacher Gemma Wherry said the children are encouraged to bring in a variety of healthy snacks for morning break.
‘We have found that by seeing their peers enjoying a variety of fruit and vegetables, and having the opportunity to grow their own, the children are much more confident to try new things,’ she said.
‘The children grow vegetables at school, last year we grew potatoes and cooked them on a fire, children have suggested carrot soup for this year.
‘It’s about putting it into context for them, it’s time to have veg in the spotlight’ she said.
Miss Wherry said pupils often bring in carrots and cucumber but that they have been encouraging a variety of veg including peas and corn.
Reception pupils Isla Sebire and Elsie Kellaway, both four, said they are enjoying having vegetables at break time, although they still enjoy their fruit too.
‘My favourite snack is apples, they make me happy,’ said Isla
Meanwhile Elsie said she had been having strawberries for break and added ‘vegetables are important because they make you strong.’
Research found advertising has a large impact on children’s eating habits. Crisps, confectionary and sugary drink brands collectively spend millions on advertising but only 1.2% of money spent on food and drink marketing is on vegetables.
Veg Power raised £100,000 through crowd funding and received £2 million of advertising space from ITV. This has allowed the creation of a series of TV adverts promoting vegetables to be broadcast. The campaign is also working on social media platforms using the tags #VegPower and #EatThemToDefeatThem.
Among involved supermarkets is Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd and Sandpiper CI who want to support the campaign by making buying vegetables as easy and attractive as possible.
A spokesperson from Sandpiper said they work hard with local and national suppliers to get great quality and value fruit and vegetables into stores.
‘We’re delighted to support Veg Power and ITV in their landmark campaign to encourage children to eat more vegetables, which is obviously great benefit for their health,’ they said.
