Healthy eating at the top of RADAR’s shopping list

An interactive safety facility in Belfast now sports a specially-commissioned SPAR shopfront in its life-sized model street.

Risk Avoidance Danger Awareness Resource (RADAR) has joined forces with SPAR to tackle childhood obesity levels in Northern Ireland, with the branded shop front erected to mark the beginning of the partnership.

RADAR’s interactive safety and life skills facility is used to train children in dealing with the urban environment and staying healthy.

Aimed at encouraging healthy eating amongst young people across Northern Ireland, RADAR said its new sponsorship deal with SPAR represents a strategic collaboration which will see the retailer support the centre over the next three years.

The partnership will focus on educating Key Stage 2 pupils on the life-threatening risks of a poor diet, with the shop forming the foundation upon which RADAR’s specially-trained staff will deliver healthy eating lessons to visiting schools and groups in a fun, engaging environment.

Centre manager at RADAR, Sandra Leo, said: “Our focus at RADAR is on equipping the young people that visit us with the skills they need to make informed decisions as they embark on their journey through adolescence to adulthood.

“Poor diet is the biggest contributor to early death around the world – we want to target this in Northern Ireland by giving young people control over their dietary choices.

“Through our partnership with SPAR, we will have the support and resources to tackle childhood obesity head-on with visiting young people. As with many of the other risks which we educate our visiting young people on – from road safety to e-safety – prevention is better than cure.”

Bronagh Luke of Henderson Group, added: “At SPAR, we recognise that a healthy diet is about balance. We want to make nutritional choices in-store accessible for our shoppers, which will promote good health for themselves and their families.

“From running event sponsorships to our relationships with local food suppliers and the healthy recipes we produce for shoppers, it’s a message which we are passionate about.

“The partnership with RADAR offers a unique opportunity to speak directly to young people about the importance of healthy eating. It aligns with our CSR objectives, and will form an important aspect of our strategy to improve the health of our shoppers, of all ages, across Northern Ireland.”