The week-long programme of events are a joint Home Grown Cereal Authority and Ulster Farmers Union initiative designed to highlight the importance and benefits of a healthy balanced breakfast and the important role of nutrition in underpinning sporting achievement and supporting a healthy lifestyle.
The farmhouse breakfast theme is ‘A Great Start!’ which aims to encourage everyone to wake up to a balanced breakfast as part of a healthy and active lifestyle. As 2008 is the year of both the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, athletes from various Olympic sports attended the event.
Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “The local food industry produces many very innovative breakfast foods which in turn are made from the highest quality raw materials including our locally produced quality assured cereals.
“Our local cereal producers, the food processing industry and farming organisations working closely with DARD development support, will ensure that local consumers continue to have access to a wide range of healthy, convenient breakfast goods that will assist us all get a ‘Great Start’ in the morning while contributing to supporting a healthy, active lifestyle. A healthy balanced breakfast based on locally produced convenient food combined with our great tradition of cereal production from family farms, clearly show that ‘Good Food really is in our Nature’.”
Sports Minister, Edwin Poots MLA said: “A healthy breakfast is essential to kick start the day, boost energy levels and increase mental and physical ability. Top athletes, such as those here today, have excelled in their sports through dedication, hard work and of course, healthy eating. Later this year I will be launching a new 10 year Sports Strategy. Its aim will be to widen participation in sports so that more people can enjoy the positive benefits associated with a more active lifestyle such as better health and overall sense of wellbeing.”
Notes to Editors:
- Farmhouse Breakfast Week runs from 20 - 26 January. It is promoted locally by the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) on behalf of The Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) with organisational and financial support from DARD, the local cereal processing sector and support from local companies supplying breakfast goods.
- The Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual campaign that emphasises the importance of eating a healthy breakfast every day.
- All stages of the food chain from farmers to food producers, retailers and consumers are being encouraged to hold events during Farmhouse Breakfast Week to promote the importance of starting the day with breakfast and to celebrate the wealth of high quality regional produce that is readily available. The Farmhouse Breakfast event at Parliament Buildings marks the commencement of NI activities for the week and coincides with events in England, Scotland and Wales.
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
