Food available in recreational facilities: the population wants healthy options

Bathurst, June 15 2018 – An electronic survey conducted in 2017 by the comité Environnements sains Péninsule acadienne revealed that most of the population in the region would be more inclined to choose healthy food options if they were available in recreational facilities.

A total of 233 people completed the survey.

The survey, conducted during the launch of the Feed our Sport! Program was intended to assess the current eating habits of people in recreational facilities (pools, arenas, etc.) and to learn about their preferences in terms of healthy food items.

“Right now, four out of five people say they buy food or beverages in recreational facilities, either for themselves, their children or their spouse. The food items that are usually purchased are fries, chips and soft drinks,” explains the committee’s spokesperson, Linda Dalpé.

She adds that occasionally people who go to recreational facilities in the Acadian Peninsula already buy healthier options such as water, granola bars, crackers with cubes of cheese, flavoured milk, etc.

“More than half of people surveyed would buy food/beverages more often if healthy choices were offered. Also, respondents consider that it is extremely important to have healthy food/beverage options in recreational facilities,” she explains.

The comité Environnements sains Péninsule acadienne is currently working on communication tools. Municipalities and community partners in the region will be invited to share messages to continue raising the population’s awareness of the importance of healthy eating.

Finally, the videos produced by the committee are still available on the website of the Wellness Movement of New Brunswick. The messages supplied to municipalities and organizations will also be available on that website.