Released 26/09/2018
More than 30 Canberra businesses have signed up to the new Healthier Choices Canberra initiative, which will improve the health and wellbeing of the ACT community.
Healthier Choices Canberra will make it easier for all Canberrans to find tasty, fresh and healthier food and drink options at club restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and entertainment venues.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said Healthier Choices Canberra was part of the Government’s commitment to reducing rates of preventable chronic disease and promoting wellbeing in the ACT community.
“Eating a variety of healthy foods is essential for good health and helps prevent disease,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“When you’re grocery shopping or enjoying time with the kids at a play centre it can be hard to know what the healthier food and drinks are.
“Research shows us that eating out is a big source of food purchases, so it’s great to see so many club restaurants and cafes are on board with Healthier Choices Canberra and offering new options on their menus.
“Many of these participating businesses already have a range of healthier food and drink choices available. Healthier Choices Canberra will increase those options and make it easier for customers to spot them.”
Minister Fitzharris said Healthier Choices Canberra had a particular emphasis on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for children in our community.
“What children eat now can determine their future health,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“If children don’t make healthy eating choices now, they are at increased risk of developing serious health conditions as an adult.
“The best message we can give our kids – and ourselves – is to eat more vegies!”
Businesses taking part in Healthier Choices Canberra receive nutrition information and advice on adapting their menu and chosen dishes.
Participating supermarkets are supported to identify and promote healthier choices with the criteria aligning with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and drawing on the national Health Star Rating system.
All businesses are provided with bright, bold and contemporary promotional materials to help point customers to the healthier options and take the guesswork out, making it easier to find their healthier choices.
Minister Fitzharris said she was looking forward to more ACT businesses joining the Healthier Choices Canberra program.
“This is just the beginning and I am confident many more businesses will come on board in the coming months,” Minister Fitzharris said.
Further information about Healthier Choices Canberra is available here.
The following businesses are participating in Healthier Choices Canberra:
- IGA Ainslie
- IGA Drakeford
- IGA Nicholls
- IGA Deakin
- IGA Chapman
- IGA Holt
- IGA Ngunnawal
- IGA Hackett
- IGA Yarralumla
- IGA Melba
- IGA Palmerston
- IGA Gordon
- The Spence Grocer
- The Chifley Grocer
- Friendly Grocer Cook
- Ainslie Football Club
- Canberra Raiders Sports Club – Gungahlin, Holt and Weston
- Canberra Southern Cross Club – Woden and Tuggeranong
- Hellenic Club – Woden
- The RUC in Turner
- Vikings Town Centre
- Questacon Megabytes Café
- Let’s Play
- Limelight Cinemas
- Inflatable World Kambah
- YMCA Olympic Pool
- Coffee Guru – Bonner, Amaroo and Franklin
- CITSA Fresh2Go
- The Knox, Made in Watson
- The Goods Wholefoods
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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