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.

Our government is pleased to support Nutrition Month in partnership with Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador and our community partners.

This year’s theme “Unlock the Potential of Food” encourages us to understand how food can enhance our lives, improve our health, fuel our activities and bring people together.

Mr. Speaker, in The Way Forward, we committed to improving health outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by increasing vegetable and fruit consumption, and improving breastfeeding initiation rates.

Achieving these goals can only be realized through public awareness of the importance of healthy eating and creating change by engaging individuals and communities to take action.

Our government recognizes the importance of our partnerships with community groups and initiatives that help achieve these goals, such as Kids Eat Smart and the School Lunch Association, which help provide healthy, nutritious food to children at school, and the Baby Friendly Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is doing great work to promote and support breastfeeding.

Today we also celebrate Dietitians Day across Canada. Dietitians in this province promote and support healthy eating in communities and hospitals, rehabilitation centres, primary care, long-term care, private practice, government, public health, industry and educational institutions.

Mr. Speaker, anyone who has questions about healthy eating, including how to make healthy food choices or how to tailor their choices to their specific health needs, can access our Dial-a-Dietitian service by calling 811 and asking to speak to a registered dietitian.

I invite all members of this House to please join me in thanking dietitians throughout the province and to recognize and celebrate March as Nutrition Month.

Thank you.