The latest report from Food Standards Scotland on the country’s food consumption strengthens our belief that opening a dedicated greengrocer in Portobello is essential. We are all aware of the advice to eat 5 portions of fruit & veg a day, but it looks like the message isn’t getting through.
Key findings in the report include:
- There was little progress towards meeting the 2013 Scottish Dietary Goals over the 15 year period. This lack of progress was apparent even amongst households in the least deprived areas.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption did not change between 2001-2003 and 2013-2015.
Although our goal is to once again make fruit & veg easily available on the High Street, we also plan to engage with the local schools and colleges – as well as other community groups – to promote education about the produce we are selling.
Our principal goal at present is to secure premises (any help with this would be appreciated!), but when we do, and if there is space, we may be able to have some sort of kitchen facility where excess produce could be used to produce soups and such like, which we could donate to local homeless charities.
However our project ‘pans out’, we will be making a small contribution to the ongoing health of our community and to help meet the goals.