Pink feet are growing in Bell Block

Media Release

January 30, 2008

Pink feet are growing in Bell Block

- Since 2005, a group has been working together to make it easier for people in Bell Block to be active and make healthier food choices. This group ( Bell Block Coalition) includes local schools and preschools, interested business people and members of the community, the Taranaki District Health Board Health Promotion Unit, Sport Taranaki, Police, Road Sense Taranaki and the National Heart Foundation

- Pink feet making a trail to the healthy choices for school lunches has been a feature of the Parklands Supervalue Supermarket in Bell Block during term one since 2006.

- This year it has been extended beyond Supervalue Supermarket, to include a number of other food retailers, physical activity facilities, a medical centre and pharmacy. Eden Café and Restaurant, Kabbage’s, Bell Block Four Square and Bell Block Bakery will all promote the healthier food choices - , while the Bell Block Aquatic Centre and the Mangati Walkway will promote the well known “Push Play” message. Look for “Pink Feet”, both large and small, at these places.

- Smokefree ‘Quit’ messages are located outside the Bell Block Family Health Centre and Pharmacy @ Bell Block, where advice can be sought.

- The pink feet in the supermarkets are now about more than just school lunches. All healthier food items are highlighted in the supermarkets with shelf talkers saying “Healthier Choice”. Choosing which foods to include as a healthier choice has been difficult and is only a guide. The rule of having less than 10g of fat or sugar and 6g or more of fibre per 100g has been the main guide. Some products that are slightly above this for sugar or fat maybe included as a healthier choice if they are a good source of another nutrient eg cheese and yoghurt for calcium or if they are the lowest fat/sugar product in that range of food eg relishes or sauces.

- The pink feet project at Supervalue Supermarket has been evaluated in 2006 and 2007 and it was found that 25% of shoppers were influenced by the pink feet and the shelf talkers.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
We are starting at 6am putting down the small pink feet and the shelf talkers in Supervalue supermarket.
The large pink feet will be starting to be placed on the pavement outside the Devon Road shops (opposite The Warehouse in BellBlock) on Monday 4th February 2008 at 9am .

ENDS

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