Musgrave retail partners demonstrate long term commitment to the health and wellbeing of Irish school children
06/07/2009

Musgrave retail partners demonstrate long term commitment to the health and wellbeing of Irish school children

Supervalu and Centra stores make a real impact on the health and well being of the nation’s school children through a long term commitment to the promotion of healthy eating and health education.

SuperValu and Centra stores are finding myriad ways of implementing health and well being initiatives - from SuperValu’s nationwide Schools in Action campaign, to Centra’s summer holiday rugby camps in Connacht.

Chris Martin, Musgrave Group CEO said, "At the heart of our commitment to health and well being is the continuing development of our own-brand range, where in addition to outstanding value we focus on the best ingredients, high nutritional values and clear labelling. But this is only part of the story. Our retail partners take the healthy eating message out in the community, working with schools, sports clubs and healthy eating experts, helping consumers to make healthy choices, every day."

SuperValu’s Kids in Action, launched in 2006, has so far provided over €3.5 million worth of sports equipment to schools in Ireland. As well as encouraging children to get involved in sport and active play, Kids in Action also provides education on the importance of a balanced diet.

Children at participating schools have enjoyed visits by a nutritionist, engaging them in discussions around healthy food options, and the programme encourages the purchase of fruit and vegetables in SuperValu stores through the promise of double vouchers.

The Kids in Action programme is aimed at children aged between five and twelve years and has the support of both the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.

Donal Horgan, Managing Director, SuperValu said, "SuperValu is delighted to be able to give a little back to the community and help encourage a healthy lifestyle for primary school children."

Centra continues to sponsor rugby camps at Connacht during the summer holidays to provide a healthy form of entertainment for boys and girls aged 6 to 13. Coached by fully accredited IRFU coaches, it’s a great way to develop skills while keeping fit.

Scally’s SuperValu, Clonakilty, has supported the work of local Rathbarry National School in their development of a health promotion programme. Scally’s supplied organic produce and food tasting for everyone attending the schools special event in June and Stephen Baker, SuperValu Chef, inspired the audience with healthy lunch box ideas.

Since 2003, Centra has sponsored Action Cancer’s health promotion programme for secondary schools and colleges to advance the charity’s health promotion service for young people in NI.

Supported by Centra independent retailers across the region, the initiative runs popular ‘boxercise’ classes, as well as promoting messages on healthy eating, the dangers of smoking and alcohol, and cancer detection. Over the past six years almost £500,000 of funding from Centra has helped the local charity bring Health Action to over 150,000 young people.

These are just a few of the ways in which Musgrave brands are putting policy into action for the benefit of Irish youngsters. New initiatives are introduced every year but the underlying commitment; the promotion of healthy eating and health education for our children, is a long term policy at the heart of the Musgrave approach.

Supervalu and Centra have made a real impact on the health and well being of the nation’s school children through a long term commitment to the promotion of healthy eating and health education.