Date published: 14/06/2008

Rossendale Council is launching a ‘Healthy Eating, Healthy Living Campaign’ on its markets later this month.

The Council has teamed up with market traders and the Rossendale Food Forum, Rossendale Leisure Trust, the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, local Children’s Centres and Rossendale Dance & Drama Centre to deliver a programme of information and activities to encourage local people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Life expectancy in Rossendale is lower than in the rest of the country, and deaths from heart disease amongst women are 42% higher than the national average.

The campaign will take place from 21st June to 19th July 2008 on Bacup, Haslingden & Rawtenstall Markets, and will include health checks, advice about healthy eating, healthy recipes, healthy snacks, dance demonstrations, planting fruit and vegetable seeds and free goodie bags.

All activities, goodie bags and healthy snacks are free, and customers who visit the healthy eating and healthy living information stalls will be given free entry to a prize draw to win a healthy hamper worth £25 – one hamper will be given away every week of the campaign.

The campaign kicks off with the annual Food Festival in and around Rawtenstall Market, which will include a cookery demonstration, a vast selection of interesting food stalls selling local produce and amazing street entertainment.

Cllr Janet Graham, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods said:
“We are pleased to be supporting this healthy eating campaign through our local markets. We want more people in the borough to develop a healthier lifestyle. Our markets are a great place to encourage local people to find out more about healthy living and purchase some healthy nutritious food.”

For more information about the event or if you would like to get involved, please contact Catherine Taylor on 01706 252541.”