North-east corner shops to pilot new scheme

Corner shops in north-east England are set to be the first in the country to pilot a new £800,000 scheme in an attempt to encourage more eating of fruit and vegetables.

Also aiming to reduce obesity, the plans were unveiled today and form part of the Department of Health’s Change4Life coalition.

The scheme is receiving funding by the Department of Health, with £200,000 given this year and then £300,000 for the following two years.

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.”

The scheme has received 12 stores signing up and follows figures that found 12.5 per cent of children aged two to 15 in the north-east are obese, with 61 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women also regarded as overweight or obese.

She added that the aim is to get 120 local shops in the region to sell fresh produce.

Change4Life is an initiative set to involve thousands of local organisations and charities to encourage healthy eating and exercise.