Foods From Spain

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In-store Promotions National Primary Schools Competition Young Spanish Chef of the Year

Foods from Spain launches national healthy eating competition for children

Foods from Spain launches national healthy eating competition for children

Primary school children around Britain can win up to £3,000 for their school by entering fantastic collages on the subject of fruit and vegetables into a competition run by Foods from Spain.

The National Primary Schools Competition is open to classes in years three to six from all primary schools in the UK. They must produce a collage that represents ‘Healthy eating with fresh fruit and vegetables from Spain’, using materials from glossy magazines to dried fruit and nuts.

The winning school will receive a cheque for £3,000; there are also second and third prizes of £1,000 and £500; and Foods from Spain sports bibs for year group winners and runners up. All schools receive a certificate from the Ambassador of Spain to the UK.

Last year’s competition attracted well over 450 entries from schools around the country. The best collages were displayed in a road show, which called at the Children’s Food Festival in Oxfordshire, the Taste Spain festival in London’s Borough Market, and the Unicorn children’s theatre, as part of an exhibition by the London International Gallery of Children’s Art. Last year’s competition was won by Kingston Primary School in Benfleet, Essex for its impressive ‘market stall’ collage (picture attached).

Director of Foods from Spain, María José Sevilla said: “A recent survey by the British Nutrition Foundation suggested that children eat less than half of their five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, so Foods from Spain has been thrilled by interest in healthy diets generated by the National Primary Schools Competition. It captured the imaginations of teachers, schoolchildren and parents throughout Britain, inspiring schools’ own healthy eating events and food festivals – not to mention hundreds of fantastic collages.”

Entry packs are being sent to all primary schools in England, and can also be downloaded from www.foodsfromspain.co.uk. All primary schools in Britain are eligible to enter.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

The National Primary Schools Competition is open to classes in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 in England, and the equivalent schools years in the rest of the country.

The closing date for entries is 23^rd May, 2008, and winners notified by 27^th June, 2008.

Children’s Diets: Some Food For Thought

According to the British Nutrition Foundation:

In a recent survey, children ate less than half the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. In an average week, 20% of 4-18 year-olds ate no fruit at all
4% of the children did not consume any vegetables during the 7-day survey period
“Children over 5 years of age are beginning to take responsibility for their own food intake so it is important that they understand the need for a healthy diet”

According to the NHS:

· Almost one in four five-year olds and one in three 11-year olds is overweight or obese

· Rates of obesity are worst in the North East, West Midlands and London

*Did you know?

Sweet cherries such as the Picota are an excellent source of boron and calcium – so the fruit is believed to promote healthy bones
Plums are high in dietary fibre and contain high levels of vitamin C
Cherimoyas contain vitamin C and releases sugar gradually into the blood, making it the ideal breakfast fruit
Persimons are high in fibre and a good source of calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium
Raspberries are a good source of lutein, vitamin C and B vitamins
Strawberries help to keep the mind focused as they contain folic acid, which helps to produce red blood cells that carry oxygen to the brain. When the brain is oxygenised it can focus more and pay better attention

*Source: The Composition of Foods, sixth summary edition, by McCane and Widdowson

For more information, images or recipes, featuring Spanish fresh produce please contact:

Dominic Weaver, RED Communications Ltd, on 01480 465953. Email: dominic@redcomm.co.uk

Janine Gilson, Foods from Spain, on 0207 467 2360. Email: jgilson@mcx.es

Or visit: www.foodsfromspain.co.uk

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