Leading supermarket chains have been recruited by the government to promote a new drive aimed at improving England’s eating habits.
More than 1,000 Asda, Co-operative Food and Aldi stores across the country will offer discounts on healthy ingredients as part of the latest phase of the Department of Health’s (DoH’s) long-running Change 4 Life campaign, which will also see four millions recipe cards distributed to members of the public.
“Shockingly, research has found that the second most popular evening meal is a sandwich opposed to a balanced meal,” said a DoH spokesman. “This doesn't have to be the case. If we plan our meals and shopping we can save money and make healthier choices at mealtimes.”
Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott has also been signed up as the public face of the Supermeals campaign and has compiled a new cookbook containing affordable, healthy recipes. Public health minister Anne Milton hailed the drive and suggested the New Year could be the “perfect opportunity” for people to change the way they eat.
The announcement came after Sainsbury’s revealed that it intends to step up its support of the UK farming industry by purchasing more British food produce.
