First Minister to launch 'Gimme 5!' CD-Rom

Thursday 17 July 2003

11-14 year-olds targeted in drive to boost consumption of fruit and veg

Ref: WA26/03KC

Welsh Assembly Government First Minister Rhodri Morgan will be launching a CD-Rom aimed at encouraging young people to increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables at the Royal Welsh Show this week.

'Gimme 5!' features interactive computer games and screen savers aimed at girls and boys aged 11 to 14 years. Princess Sugabeat and Alf Alpha show users how to maximise their energy levels by eating a balanced, healthy diet incorporating plenty of fruit and veg. The bilingual CD-Rom is accompanied by a magazine outlining the importance of a healthy diet, definitions of portion sizes, and nutrition tips from Colin Jackson himself.

Speaking before the show Hilary Neathey, a Higher Executive Officer for the Food Standards Agency Wales, said:

'Many Welsh youngsters are failing to eat the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables each day. There is a body of evidence that shows poor diet has implications for their health, and failing to eat a balanced, healthy diet could be storing up trouble for the future.

'The First Minister's involvement in the launch of Gimme 5 is great news, and we look forward to distributing the CD-Rom to schools and youth organisations in readiness for the new school year. The endorsement of Colin Jackson is also an immense boost - Colin is an ideal role model for today's youngsters to try to emulate.'

In addition to the launch, the Food Standards Agency Wales stand (326, Avenue D) will also feature 'celebrity' cookery competition Bad Food Live! Chefs Ritchie Twist ('One Fit Laddie') and Bernard Le Blanc ('Unready, Unsteady, Drink!') will be engaging in a battle of wits in a cookery competition, under the watchful eye of show host Megan Bacon. Performances are scheduled throughout the day, every day.

Notes To Editors

The other agencies involved in the creation of the Gimme 5! Game are Cardiff-based marketing and advertising agency Golley Slater, and new media-agency Sequence.
Gimme 5! will be distributed to secondary schools and youth organisations across Wales at the beginning of the new school year, and will also be available on the Agency's web site.
Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables throughout the population of Wales, and particularly amongst young people, women of child bearing age, middle-aged men and other vulnerable groups is a key objective of the Food Standards Agency and National Assembly's Nutrition Strategy for Wales, 'Food and Wellbeing'. Launched in February this year, it provides a framework for action by a wide range of organisations and authorities with a view to improving the Welsh diet. The Agency's production and distribution of Gimme 5! contributes to that framework.

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First Minister to launch 'Gimme 5!' CD-Rom

11-14 year-olds targeted in drive to boost consumption of fruit and veg

Notes To Editors

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