All customers have to do is buy an Eat Well product with their SPARKS card, or app, to nominate their local team to go into the draw – the more products they buy the more entries they get.

As well as training there are thousands of other prizes for customers and their local school or football club to be in the chance of winning – from match tickets and signed merchandise to Eat Well products.

M&S Food has partnered with the England, Scotland, Cymru and the Northern Ireland National Football Teams, to use the power of football and the influence of some of the UK’s biggest footballing heroes to help families make healthier choices under the campaign banner ‘Eat Well, Play Well’.

Through the M&S Eat Well health seal of approval and its partnership with the FAs, M&S Food aims to make families healthier for the next generation.  It links the eating habits of much-loved footballing heroes to how they play, promoting positive healthy eating messages for kids in a way that’s engaging, relatable and drives change.

Every product that has the Eat Well health seal of approval is an entry into the competition. All people have to do when paying is ensure that their SPARKS card is scanned to go into the draw.

Northern Ireland senior team men’s manager Ian Baraclough said: “This is a great opportunity for young footballers to train with their heroes. It’s really easy to enter – for every Eat Well product you buy, this equals one entry to the competition. So the healthier you eat the more chance you have to win!

“Plus, you have the chance to win other great prizes including great tasting Eat Well products across a wide range of items. Let’s see if we can unearth some Northern Ireland stars of the future.”

The competition is open until September 27 across all stores. As well as the training there are thousands of other prizes up for grabs including match tickets, kits, equipment, signed merchandise and Eat Well products.

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In a first of its kind, the multi-year-deal sees M&S Food, Irish FA and the Northern Ireland football teams shining a light on what players eat to help inspire families to eat healthier this Summer and beyond.

By using the influence of Northern Irish footballing heroes, the partners aim to not only make healthy eating choices easier for families but also show that healthy and balanced doesn’t have to be quinoa and kale – it can actually be a lot more fun and tasty!

This timely partnership comes as health is high on the nation’s agenda, with 53% of Northern Irish people concerned about family health. 40% share concerns on getting nutritious food into their diets – so this focus on M&S and its Eat Well seal of approval comes just at the right time.

Over the last few years M&S Food has invested significantly making its ranges, including Eat Well, even better value, whilst protecting the things its customers love most – its market leading sourcing standards and its delicious, innovative products.

The partnership is packed with initiatives – from in store exclusives where budding sports stars can find out their favourite players’ recipes and eating plans, to unprecedented online insight on players, managers and legends sharing their favourite Eat Well products.

So fans of all ages can now truly eat like their football heroes no matter their age or footballing ability. Whether its pre or post-match, or just a quick snack before heading off to watch their local team play.

Northern Ireland senior team men’s manager Ian Baraclough said: “Nutrition in football has come a long way since I was a player in the late 80s and 90’s; our post-match meal was less sophisticated than it is today!

“Our current players are put on specific programmes to give them the best possible fuel for matches and to help them recover after the game so very different to my day. Our players are such icons in Northern Ireland and I think this partnership with M&S Food and Eat Well will help give the budding footballers of the future a real insight into what their heroes are eating and inspire them to eat and train the very best they can.”

Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S, is equally passionate about the partnership and health, and making healthier choices more accessible, is of utmost importance in the retailer’s strategy going forward. He says: “Today I’ll be writing to all our customers about this partnership and our aim to make a real difference to health and inspire the next generation.

“By harnessing the influence of the players as role models, we want to encourage children and families to make healthier food choices through choosing Eat Well.”

Stuart added:“We have nearly 2000 delicious Eat Well products across our Food Hall, from great quality fruit and vegetables to meals, snack and drinks, all at trusted value.  We’re constantly developing and improving our ranges, to give our customers delicious, healthier choices every day”

Nicola Finlay, Regional Manager Northern Ireland, adds: “Our work with the Irish FA is much more than a sponsorship, we want to help change the health of the nation and the first step is to further increase the number of products with the Eat Well flower and make it easier for customers to spot them. Shoppers in Northern Ireland will be able to pick up specific national recipe cards in store so they can replicate their favourite player meals at home – whether that is breakfast, lunch or dinner. Budding stars can even find out what Eat Well products Northern Ireland players consume at training camps.”

Customers will see the campaign come to life from July in line with the summer holidays and all stores across the UK will have clear Eat Well identifiers throughout its stores. M&S Food Halls will also launch a purpose driven marketing campaign including free fruit for kids in all stores and Fresh Market Specials on seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Later in the Summer customers will also be encouraged to make healthy choices in store through a huge competition that will reward Eat Well choices with an incredible, once in a lifetime prize.

Caption; Pictured launching the ‘Eat Well, Play Well’ campaign is Northern Ireland senior women’s international, Kirsty McGuinness and Northern Ireland U19 international, Michael Forbes alongside Nicola Finlay, Regional Manager for M&S in Northern Ireland and budding young footballer, Theo Lever.

The post M&S Food partners with Irish FA on healthy eating mission first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.