December 2005

Campaign encourages kids to eat healthy

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan and the farming educational body, Agri Aware this week encouraged children to eat more healthy foods, sourced from Irish farms while addressing the increasing urbanisation of rural Ireland.

More than 400 children from local primary schools were told of the important role Irish Farmers are playing in producing safe, quality and healthy produce, when the pre-Christmas awareness campaign took place last week in Donegal.

The children were introduced to a variety of farm animals on the Agri Aware Mobile Farm, and educated about the important role they are playing in the food chain. Donegal Creameries provided a range of healthy dairy products while Bord Bia displayed fruit and vegetables, all of which can be sourced from the farm.

Agri Aware Chairman TJ Maher commented, "Due to the increasing urbanisation of rural Ireland, children are becoming more distanced from farming as a way of life. It is a fact today that many rural children have never been on a farm and do not know where their food comes from. Children need to be informed that the healthiest, and most nutritious produce originate on the farm.

Minister Mary Coughlan stated "Agriculture is one of our most important industries, it sustains a way of life and our rural communities. As our primary producers, Irish farmers are playing a crucial role in the food chain by providing healthy, nutritious and safe food for Irish consumers. I welcome this Agri Aware initiative as educating children at primary school level is crucial."

The awareness campaign aims to encourage children to incorporate more fruit, vegetables, dairy and protein-rich produce into their daily diets.

Back