The Cessnock LGA Healthier Oils Initiative has received further support and new partnership with local company, Rover Coaches.
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The partnership will see new advertising for the campaign with the initiatives promotional slogan ‘Is it time for an oil change?’ displayed on the back of Rover’s bus 28 for an indefinite period.
Member of the local healthier oils working party, Shayne Herring, said the bus advertisement is designed to raise the profile of the healthier oils initiative.
“We are hoping that the bus ad will not only get the attention of local food business owners but also encourage the general community to get behind the initiative,” she said.
“We are very grateful to Rover Coaches for their generous support of our campaign.”
The initiative was formed between the Cessnock City Council and Heart Foundation after a report was released revealing that the Cessnock LGA has the 12th highest rating of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in NSW and second highest rating of cvd death in NSW.
Penny Milson, regional health promotion coordinator at the Heart Foundation NSW, said food business owners can make a contribution to the health of their customers and help to lower the risk of CVD in the Cessnock LGA by swapping frying oils that are high in the harmful saturated and trans fats with healthier oils containing more of the poly and monounsaturated fats.
“There is a link between the amount of saturated fat that a person eats and their risk of heart disease – the more you eat the greater the risk,” she said.
Cessnock City Council Environmental Health Officer, Abigail Bagnall, said the local community has definitely been responsive.
“I would estimate about half a dozen businesses have switched to healthier oil options,” she said.
The Healthier Oils Initiative was launched in late 2011 aims to educate and encourage community members to make healthier decisions regarding cooking oils and fats.
The working party which includes representatives from the Cessnock City Council, the Heart Foundation NSW, Hunter New England Health Local Health District, Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat, KFC (Cessnock) and Peden’s Hotel meet every three months to discuss strategies to target the Cessnock community.
“It really is so generous of Rover Coaches,” Ms. Milson said,
“We are very appreciative of their support in our campaign.”
For more information, community members are encouraged to contact the Cessnock council’s Environmental Health Team on 4993 4100.