New figures from Bord Bia show that fruit and vegetables purchases by consumers have increased – Fresh Produce Retail Market valued at €1.19 billion. Rugby Ace and Best in Season Ambassador Tommy Bowe encourages kid’s to score “5” this Autumn.
New figures from Bord Bia show that fruit and vegetables purchases by consumers have increased – Fresh Produce Retail Market valued at €1.19 billion. Rugby Ace and Best in Season Ambassador Tommy Bowe encourages kid’s to score “5” this Autumn.
Figures released today by Bord Bia show that the retail value of the sales of fruit and vegetables to Irish consumers have increased. The annual value of the total retail fresh produce market was €1.196 billion in June 2011, up 4.2% on the value to June 2010. The total volume of produce purchased over the same period saw an increase of 2.4%.
The figures released today by Bord Bia demonstrate that consumers are buying more fruit and vegetables but also serve as a reminder of the strong nutritional benefits of fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet and the importance of consuming the recommended 5 or more daily portions of fruit and vegetables . As the holiday season comes to an end and kids and adults re adjust to the back to school routine achieving 5 a day not only contributes to overall health but helps to improve sleeping patterns which leads to better concentration.
Mike Neary, Bord Bia, commented, “Ensuring that you eat your recommended daily portions of fruit and vegetables is an essential part of a healthy diet. This time of year, a lot of fruit and vegetables come into season so fresh local produce is in plentiful supply. There’s no better time than now to increase your daily intake by trying different types of tasty fruit and vegetables. The start of the new school year and the end of the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to get into the habit of adding fresh fruit and vegetables to the kids lunchboxes!”
While consumers are buying more fresh produce, according to the recent National Health Nutrition Survey by IUNA Irish adults are still not getting the full daily intake of fruit and vegetables as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Fruit and vegetables are consumed daily but not at the level that they should be the average Irish adult is currently consuming approximately half the daily recommended amount.
Irish Rugby player and Best in Season ambassador Tommy Bowe believes that consuming 5 portions of fruit and veggetables a day is essential. “By having to watch what I eat I know all the different types of fruit and vegetables and the contribution each makes to a healthy balanced diet and ultimately a fit body. One way I try to pack more in is by snacking on ready to eat produce like apples, cherry tomatoes and even carrot sticks. I actually have to have more than five portions a day – especially if I want to secure a place on the plane to New Zealand!”
5 facts about your 5-a-day you may not have known
Fruit and Vegetables:
- Contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, fibres and antioxidants, all essential in the efficient functioning of the body.
- Are low in fat, calories and salt; eating them helps maintain a healthy heart and weight.
- Contain fibre which help you feel full for longer.
- Contain lots of water which is essential for the body
- Portion Size is equivalent to one medium apple; one medium tomato or 4 heaped teaspoons of green vegetables.
As with all fruit and vegetables, they taste their best and are at their most nutritious when they are in season, and Bord Bia’s Best in Season website www.bestinseason.ie tells you when is the best time of year to be able to purchase fresh and tasty produce.
