17th March 2011 - 5 a day boost for local stores in Hastings

A new scheme to boost the availability and promotion of fruit and vegetables in Hastings is being launched at Cappers Spar Store, St Helens Down today (Thursday 17th March).

Part of the national Change4Life programme, the scheme will see four stores in the town installing a chiller cabinet, enabling them to sell a wider range of fruit and vegetables.

Children from Sandown Primary School will be at the launch at Cappers to promote the healthy eating message through a presentation and by making fruit kebabs for attendees.

The other three stores taking part in the scheme are:

Costcutter, 92 Malvern Way
Londis, Beneys, 51 Hughenden Road
Londis, Hazells, 187 Harold Road

The aim of the Change4Life Convenience Store campaign is to make it easier for people in all parts of the community to get their 5-a-day.

The stores will be encouraged to link their efforts to promote the 5-a-day message to other local schemes, such as cooking clubs, in a bid to help their customers learn more about how easy it is to include more fruit and vegetables in their diet.  Nutritional information and training will also be offered to store staff so that they are able to talk about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables.

Hayley Martin, Health Development Manager for NHS East Sussex Community Health Services, who are co-ordinating and delivering the launch, said: ‘These new Change4Life chillers will give more people access to fresh fruit and vegetables nearer to home, giving them more chances to make healthy choices about what they eat.’

Matt Teague, Retail Fresh Food Controller for Capper & Co Ltd, the Spar operating company in the South East, said: “We are delighted to again have the opportunity to partner the local community health service to launch the Change4Life programme and help raise public awareness toward the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Promoting healthy choices is a main strand of our business strategy for the foreseeable future, where our retail focus is to ensure our stores provide a good selection of excellent quality fruit & vegetables to local people on a consistent daily basis”.  

The campaign is part of the Department of Health's Change4Life coalition, aimed at reversing the rising tide of obesity and encouraging everyone - businesses, local community groups, charities and parents - to get involved in the movement and make positive changes to their lifestyle.