South Australia’s Coorong District Council surveyed local residents and passing tourists, finding there is a growing demand for healthy and nutritious foods. Through its Good Food on the Road project Council has recognised and accredited outlets which offer good food choices and have assessed the nutritional value of their menus.
The program offered workshops and training to educate local businesses and promote healthy food alternatives. One aim was to increase the demand within the Coorong community for healthy foods, by promoting good food messages. Council used advertising campaigns, and public events including the Good Food Showcase Day and the Supermarket Walk.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to seek out healthy foods during their regular supermarket shopping, or when purchasing take away or eating out. The importance of healthy eating to preventing chronic illnesses and disease is emphasised. Local food outlets reported an increase in business, and 88 per cent of participants felt that they benefited through their involvement with the scheme.
Coorong District Council received a Highly Commended in the 2004 Heart Foundation/ Kellogs Local Government awards for this project.
For further information contact Clarry Fisher, Council’s Manager Environmental and Health Services on (08) 8572 3611 or email cfisher@coorong.sa.gov.au
