NFU board does more than just preach healthy eating

Some would say that the National Farmers Union’s support for 5 A DAY is a no brainer! After all, our farmers and growers are the ones that produce a large proportion of the fruit and vegetables consumers across the country enjoy every day so it is ultimately within their interest to keep interest in buying fresh produce at a premium. But our support for the campaign is much more than that and that is why we have been registered to use the logo since day one.

In the past, the NFU has used the 5 A DAY logo on widely distributed leaflets to farmers and the wider public, as part of various campaigns to promote British agriculture and horticulture.

Put simply, our farmers and growers believe that eating a balanced diet, which includes five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is vital to ensuring that we maintain our health and remain happy and contented consumers.

Communicating the 5 A DAY message throughout our members via publicity campaigns unites them in the healthy eating messages and raises support for the growth of the UK’s fresh produce industry.

A great deal has been said about the importance of fruit and vegetables in our diet, particularly in tackling obesity. Even more than that though we think that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables makes a positive contribution to our overall health and well-being.

That is why we practice what we preach by encouraging all of our members of staff to ensure that they get their 5 A DAY. We also encourage all of our union members, but particularly the NFU Board for Horticulture, to eat their 5 A DAY as well.

Of course, we are also keen to promote the benefits of eating UK produced fruit and vegetables, not only because it is good for our farmers and growers but also because we believe that eating British produce in season cannot be beaten on quality, safety and above all taste. That is why we encourage everyone to look for the red tractor as the sign of British produced fruit and vegetables.

We believe that encouraging children to eat their fruit and vegetables is vital too. We are strong supporters of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and our growers contribute about half of the fruit and vegetables used in the scheme.

We will be working with all of the stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the scheme in the future. For us, ensuring that children eat 5 A DAY is the key to them continuing the habit when they become adults. And who knows, perhaps children will educate their parents of the importance of eating up their fruit and vegetables.