Ministerial Statement – National Nutrition Month Highlights Food’s Limitless Potential

  • Children, Seniors and Social Development

March 14, 2018

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development


Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize March as National Nutrition Month.

The Provincial Government is pleased to support Nutrition Month in partnership with Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador, and many of our community partners. The theme of this year’s campaign is, “Unlock the Potential of Food” and is dedicated to helping Canadians understand food’s limitless potential. Food does more than just fuel our bodies; it also brings together family and friends and teaches us about culture and tradition.

Mr. Speaker, our province has some of the highest rates of chronic disease in Canada. We know that enjoying a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating well, can help to prevent the development and advancement of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This is why in The Way Forward we have committed to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption along with increasing physical activity rates and decreasing obesity rates.

Today, March 14, is also Dietitians Day. Dietitians throughout the province work to promote healthy eating in our communities and hospitals, rehabilitation centres, in primary care, long-term care, private practice, government, public health, industry and educational institutions. Dietitians are passionate about the potential of food to enhance lives and improve health.

I invite all members of this Honourable House to please join me in thanking dietitians throughout the province for their work, and to recognize their valuable contributions to the health of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2018 03 14 2:35 pm