Blue Cross Launches Statewide Healthy Eating Campaign to Double Number of Minnesotans Eating Fruit...( said Manley. In fact a recent Trust f...),Health

The healthy eating work will feature a comprehensive approach to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. An important part of this new work is a media campaign called "Every Helping Helps" which promotes the life-saving properties of fruits and vegetables.

"The theme "Every Helping Helps" reflects research that shows increasing fruits and vegetables consumption, even a little bit, can have big health payoffs," noted Manley. The campaign debuts on Monday, November 10 on TV, billboards, and mass transit, and will expand to grocery stores beginning in December.

Blue Cross is also undertaking projects in worksites and across communities to improve access and availability to healthy foods. Worksite projects focus on improving company policies, like cafeteria and vending machine offerings, so it's easier for employees to select healthy options. Other work will soon begin as Blue Cross is awarding eight "Healthy Eating Minnesota" contracts to communities to support a wide range of healthy eating strategies. For example, the Dakota County Public Health Department will work with Blue Cross to assess and improve healthy food policies in five schools districts reaching approximately 31,000 staff and students. "We think Blue Cross is on the right track by addressing healthy eating as a way to prevent diseases like heart disease and cancer. We're very excited to work with several school districts and other partners in our county to strengthen policies and make changes that will help people eat more fruits and vegetables," said Mary Montagne, Public Health Supervisor, Dakota County Public Health Department.

"Minnesotans know they should be eating their fruits and vegetables, but knowing and doing are two different things," said Mary Story, PhD, RD, professor at the University of Minnesota's Scho
'/>"/>