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Veg Power UK launches campaign to encourage children to eat more veg

24 Feb 2020
Veg Power UK has launched carrot week to encourage children in the UK to eat more vegetables.

According to Veg Power UK 80% of UK children are not eating enough vegetables so they are running a campaign called #EatThemToDefeatThem to tackle this issue. The six-week campaign is aiming to ‘inspire’ children to eat more vegetables.

Half a million children in 1,500 primary schools across the UK will be joining the campaign. Veg Power UK has announced there will be new adverts, school reports and a carrot competition in an attempt to increase the consumption of vegetables.

Chefs including Jamie Oliver, Prue Leith and Tom Kerridge support Veg Power UK. Schools can help encourage children to try more vegetables through learning, interactive games and school meals.

Children who saw #EatThemToDefeatThem adverts in 2019 were twice as likely to eat more vegetables according to celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. 

#EatThemToDefeatThem challenges:

  • Week one: carrots (24 February)
  • Week two: peas (2 March)
  • Week three: sweetcorn (9 March)
  • Week four: broccoli (16 March)
  • Week five: tomato (23 March)
  • Week six: pepper (30 march)

One-third of primary school children in Britain are classed as overweight or obese. Research has also found half of parents say they have given up on trying to encourage their child to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Veg Power UK is attempting to change the low consumption of vegetables. Use the #EatThemToDefeatThem on Twitter to join the campaign.