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March 19, 1999
(Health and Community Services)


Provincial Nutrition Policy

Health and Community Services Minister, Joan Marie Aylward, today outlined a new Provincial Nutrition Policy for stakeholder consultation. She introduced the document "Eating Healthier in Newfoundland and Labrador" which will be distributed to stakeholders who will have the opportunity to offer input to the proposed policy before it is implemented.

Minister Aylward said that government recognizes that nutrition is a cornerstone of good health and that well nourished individuals of all ages are better able to actively participate in the life of their community. She said this announcement is a timely one as March is Nutrition Month.

"Our goal is to support measures so that residents have access to adequate nutritious food," said the minister. "It will reinforce healthy eating practices and support nutritionally vulnerable populations. It will enhance the availability of safe, high quality food that supports healthy eating and it will support nutrition research."

She went on to say the direction, which is based on a prevention and early intervention model, is supported by community groups and professionals in all sectors. She also indicated that this initiative complements the recently announced Tobacco Reduction Strategy in that they both support healthy living.

"We look forward to implementing our Provincial Nutrition Policy as we continue to improve our social agenda through the Strategic Social Plan. The continued implementation of the National Child Benefit and the recently introduced income support initiatives to support labour market measures will also improve the lives of our most needy citizens," said Minister Aylward.

Implementing the "Eating Healthier in Newfoundland and Labrador" Nutrition Policy is a long term goal. The policy directions will guide the implementation of programs and services across departments in line with available resources. Issues identified during the consultation process will be considered in the context of the regular budgetary process.

Consultation will take place during the next three months.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications Director, (709) 729-1377.

1999 03 19 12:30 p.m.


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