New Strategy to Promote Healthy Eating in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians will soon be eating their way to better health thanks to Healthy Eating Nova Scotia, a new strategy released today, March 24, by the Healthy Eating Action Group.

"As recommended within Healthy Eating Nova Scotia, the Office of Health Promotion accepted the lead role in this strategy and we are already acting on it," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion. "Nova Scotians, especially children, can expect to reap the benefits within a few months."

The Healthy Eating Action Group is a part of the Nova Scotia Alliance for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity -- an alliance of government, non-government and not-for-profit organizations committed to improving the eating habits and health of Nova Scotians.

The new strategy identifies several goals, including:
increasing the number of women who start and continue breastfeeding; increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables; increasing the healthy food choices for children and youth; and increasing the availability and affordability of healthy food to all Nova Scotians.

"Healthy Eating Nova Scotia is a practical, evidence-based strategy that we can use. It is the result of the hard work of a variety of partners," said Shelley Moran, chair of the Healthy Eating Action Group. "I am very proud of this work and would like to thank the individuals, and the organizations they represent, for their significant contributions of time and expertise to complete this strategy."

Several initiatives and actions from the strategy are already underway, including development of a food and nutrition policy framework for food service operators in public schools. The province is also participating in the development of a national food and nutrition surveillance system to share the good things others are doing.

As the first provincial food and nutrition strategy, Healthy Eating Nova Scotia encourages teamwork between groups that influence people's decisions about what to eat.

For more information on the Healthy Eating Nova Scotia strategy see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/ohp/healthyeating.html under reports and publications.