A PICTURE OF HEALTH

Daley ‘portions’ Thompson  Kelly Whole-Head Salad-brity - Zara Phillips

Sir Steve Red-Chard        Salad Gunnell         Sebastian Kale                                                                                     

The Fresh Prepared Salads Producer Group is taking up the challenge to get kids to eat their greens by launching a Salad Bag Art competition; an idea which was developed after research showed that one in two parents play games at meal times to encourage their children to eat more healthily. Youngsters are being invited to create a work of art from salad bag leaves and other salad vegetables with the chance of winning a place on a fabulous cookery course and a weekend in London for all the family.

Healthy food is essential fuel for athletes, adults and growing kids alike. However, encouraging children to eat well can be a difficult task. In a survey conducted among nearly 1200 parents, 34% said their children dislike salad and 29% won’t eat vegetables. The survey also reported that nearly a quarter (23%) of under-16s, rarely or never try new foods. 

However, the answer may not be as elusive as it appears. Says Carola Weymouth, of Cookie Crumbles, kid’s cookery school: “It’s clear that parents still struggle to get their children to eat their greens but parents are reporting that familiarising techniques such as creating pictures and getting children involved in food preparation really do help conquer their resistance to trying new or previously disliked foods. This competition gives parents and children an ideal opportunity to familiarise themselves with salad ingredients and using a bagged salad will provide a variety of shapes, textures and flavours for children to enjoy.”

Nutritionists are often telling us to eat a rainbow of different coloured fruits and vegetables, to ensure a variety of vitamins and phytonutrients; the mix of highly nutritious leaves available in fresh prepared salad bags, combined with other salad ingredients create a medley of bright colours which are great for both adults and children to enjoy. The rainbow of colours also helps make great art!

Just one bowl (80g) of fresh prepared salad leaves count as one of your recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables and brims with an impressive array of key vitamins and minerals including magnesium, iron, calcium, folate, vitamins A, C and K and powerful antioxidants.

To enter the Salad Bag Art competition send a picture of salad bag art along with the artist’s name, age and contact details to Salad Bag Art Competition, Wendy Akers PR, 5th Floor, Regal House, London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3HP or enter via the website www.salad-recipes.co.uk.

Research was carried out by GfK NOP on behalf of The Fresh Prepared Salad Producer Group which supplies the UK's supermarkets with bagged, washed and ready-to-eat salads. A sample of 1186 parents of children aged 2-16 were surveyed in fieldwork carried out 10-22 May 2007.

The Salad Art competition is organised by The Fresh Prepared Salad Producer Group. All competition details can be found at www.salad-recipes.co.uk. Entrants must be aged 16 and under. There are four age categories: under fives, 5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, over 12s. The competition will be judged by Carola Weymouth and a representative of The Fresh Prepared Salad Producer Group. Each age category winner will receive a Cookie Crumbles goodie bag, the overall winner will win a two night family break for up to four people (2 adults and 2 children) including two places at a Cookie Crumbles workshop.  The closing date for all entries is 28 November 2008.  

Primary Times is a What’s on, Where to Go site aimed at Primary Aged children, their families and teachers.  In addition to the competitions our site has a wealth of events listings, handy editorials for parents, children and teachers, holiday information, reviews of book, films, etc and a host more.  So please take the time to visit other pages of our site by clicking on the highlighted links in this text.