North East shops to trial Government fruit project

Nov 13 2008 By Graeme Whitfield

Corner shops in the North East will be the first in England to pilot an £800,000 scheme to get the country eating more fruit and veg and reduce obesity, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today.

The Department of Health is providing £200,000 this year and £300,000 for the next two years to help local shops sell and promote fruit and veg. Twelve stores have already signed up to the pilot with the aim of 120 coming on board by next May.

Shops involved in the pilot will sell a wider range of fruit and vegetables and display them prominently within their stores.

In return, the Department of Health will assign a project co-ordinator to work with each store and offer advice on maximising profits, minimising waste and displaying and promoting the new fresh produce to the local community.