The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Provincial Government Recognizes Nutrition Month

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to highlight March as national Nutrition Month. The month’s theme, Simply Cook and Enjoy! aims to inspire individuals to get back to cooking basics and to involve children and youth in food preparation.

Healthy eating is fundamental to overall health and well-being, and with today’s busy lifestyles there is a growing concern that food preparation skills are not being passed down to our children and grandchildren. Evidence shows that children who are involved in meal preparation with their families enjoy healthier food, which promotes healthy weights.

Mr. Speaker, our government partners with several organizations to provide programs and services which focus on healthy eating and wellness. These include the Kids Eat Smart Foundation, which sponsors nutritious breakfast and snack programs for school-aged children; the Food Security Network of Newfoundland and Labrador, which promotes community-based solutions to increase access to adequate healthy food for residents; and, the Eat Great and Participate program, which aims to increase access to healthy food and beverage options for children and youth participating in events at recreation, sport and community facilities.

Nutrition Month is an initiative of Dietitians of Canada, the association that represents registered dietitians across the country, with more than 100 members in this province. By visiting the organization’s website at www.dietitians.ca, people can access healthy eating tips and fact sheets to help them plan, shop and cook. To supplement the promotion of Nutrition Month, our government is tweeting messages on nutrition and simple cooking ideas.

Mr. Speaker, Nutrition Month is an important opportunity to promote the benefits of healthy eating and to create awareness of the importance of passing these life skills on to our children and youth. We encourage and remind residents to take an active role in their overall health and well-being through healthy eating and physical activity. Our government is working to provide supportive environments to help families make the healthiest choices possible.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 03 18                                     1:45 p.m.