'Home grown' stars throw weight behind healthy eating calendar
Wednesday 3 December 2008
Local celebrities including TV star Christine Bleakley are helping to spice up the 2009 eatwell calendar. Produced by the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) the calendar is packed full of recipes from famous faces, as well as budget busting tips to make food shopping in 2009 easier on the bank balances of local consumers.
Through the year readers will be guided through topics such as food waste, saturated fat and food hygiene with practical tips that will help them on their way to a healthy balanced diet.
Andrea Marnoch, Head of Consumer Choice at FSANI said: 'We've called this year's calendar "Home Grown" as we're delighted to be supported by our local celebrities' recipes. They were all very enthusiastic about sharing their ideas and have come up with some delicious, nutritious and easy to make recipes.
'The popularity of the eatwell calendar has grown immensely each year. The evaluation of last year's edition, which provided healthy eating advice for all the family was very positive. So, this year a similar approach has been taken and we're certain there's something for everyone in there'.
FSANI are producing 60,000 calendars which will be distributed free of charge throughout Northern Ireland including Housing Executive offices, Post Offices, GP surgeries and churches.
To order free copies of the calendar, telephone FSANI's recorded information line 028 9041 7766 or email infofsani@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
Calendars are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
Month by month themes are as follows:
- January: Waste Not, want not – tips on reducing food waste. Recipe from Christine Bleakley. Strictly Come Dancing and One Show star
- February: Simple steps to less sat fat. Recipe from Tyrone GAA's Mickey Harte
- March: What a balanced diet looks like. Recipe from Ulster Rugby's Matt McCullough
- April: Traffic light labelling
- May: Alfresco dining – keeping food safe away from the kitchen. Recipe from Gary Hamilton, Glentoran FC
- June: The 4 C's – food hygiene advice. Recipe from Downtown Radio presenter Caroline Fleck
- July: 5 reasons to eat five-a-day. Recipe from BBC’s Angie Phillips
- August: Salt shaker – tips for cutting down on salt. Recipe from Dame Mary Peters
- September: Lunchbox ideas. Recipe from BBC Radio Ulster chef Paula McIntyre
- October: Something fishy? – Advice on eating more fish. Recipe from TV presenter Zoë Salmon
- November: Don't skip breakfast
- December: Eatwell Christmas. Recipe from Cool FM's Sonya Mac
For media enquiries and interview bids, contact Alison Shields on 028 9041 7715 or Elaine Donaghy on 028 9041 7743
Communications,
Unit 10a-c Clarendon Road,
Belfast BT1 3BG
Telephone: 028 9041 7743
Mobile: 07884 473020
Fax: 028 9041 7725
Email: elaine.donaghy@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk