Community & Business
11 April, 2025
Healthy eating pilot project
A DIMBULAH grocery store has been chosen to be the focus of a pilot project designed to promote healthy eating.
The QCWA Country Kitchens program is a health promotion program that supports communities across Queensland to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours.
Country Kitchens is a partnership between the Queensland Country Women’s Association and the Queensland Government, funded through Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
The Country Kitchens team of dietitians and nutritionists support QCWA members who volunteer to be facilitators of the program in their communities.
The Dimbulah Friendly Grocer has been chosen to participate in the Country Kitchen program which is specifically designed to inject more fruit and vegetables into our diets, have more home-cooked meals, consider portion sizes, and be more aware of sugar in drinks and foods.
It also encourages people to “sit less and move more”.
The Supermarket Superheroes project was launched in Dimbulah on Monday with an interactive display and taste testers for shoppers, and will continue until the end of May, allowing locals to pick up healthy recipe cards, simple tips, and take in health promotion displays in the store.
Collateral such as posters, recipe cards, and shelf tags featuring the colourful “superhero” produce and branding will be positioned strategically in-store.
“We know eating fruit and vegetables is important for good health. Eating a range of fruit and vegetables everyday can help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers,” QCWA Country Kitchens program manager Meg O’Donnell said.
“While most of us try to eat healthy foods as much as possible, we are often surrounded by unhealthy food products and prominent marketing which undermines people’s efforts to maintain a healthy diet.
“People need more information to make informed decisions about healthy food products.
“Supermarkets are in a unique position to help people make healthier food choices and to meet customer demand for nutritious options.
“Supermarket Superheroes seeks to inspire customers to add more fruit and vegetables to their meals with simple tips, recipes and an in-store marketing campaign.
“The simple message is get more fruit and vegetables into your basket or trolley today.”
Dimbulah Friendly Grocer owner Prinsi Patel said the store was delighted to be able to be part of the positive program.
“Our staff are really excited about this opportunity for Dimbulah. Come into the store and check out the shelf, aisle and fridge displays,” she said.
“We also have free healthy recipe cards to inspire customers to cook at home and get more fruit and vegetables into their meals.”
QCWA Dimbulah Branch Country Kitchens Facilitator, Tara said: “It is so important to learn to eat well from a young age. Bring your kids along and see how many superheroes they can spot in store and learn more about how easy it is to add fresh, frozen or canned fruit and vegetables to your meals.”
For healthy recipes, visit the QCWA Country Kitchens website at www.qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/recipes/ or to learn more about the Supermarket Superheroes project go to www.qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/supermarket-superheroes/
