Billy Timmins
Question:123 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to encourage consumers here to eat more vegetables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/04]
View answerWednesday, 18 February 2004
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An Bord Glas has statutory responsibility for promoting the consumption of horticultural produce, including vegetables. The board is very active in this regard, and has promotional programmes in place to encourage the consumption of vegetables on an ongoing basis. The aim of the current programmes is to reach consumers in the younger age bracket and in lower income groups as consumption of vegetables is relatively low among these groups.
The elements of the board's promotional programmes include advertising on a national scale, public relations activities, in store tastings and the provision of recipe leaflets. Projects are also in place at primary school level with the aim of persuading young children of the benefits of eating vegetables and to encourage lifelong vegetable eating habits.
A major element of all campaigns is the emphasis placed on the importance of vegetables in terms of their nutritional value together with their ready availability, good quality and taste.