VOTE: Healthy eating habit takes hold in North Lincolnshire

NUMBERS of people choosing healthy, locally grown foods are rocketing, according to local producers.

As farmers' markets boom and farm shops offering their own goods thrive, the NHS said it was keen to encourage people to eat five daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

Locally, 13 per cent of adults are overweight, but the number of young children classed as obese has dropped.

The NHS is just one of a number of organisations involved in the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Forging Our Future campaign, which aims to boost the economic and personal fortunes of North Lincolnshire.

Frances Cunning, North Lincolnshire's director of public health, said fresh fruit and vegetables were a vital part of a healthy diet.

She said: "Even small steps can be taken to improve your lifestyle enough to make a real difference to your health, both now and in the future.

"As well as taking steps to get more active, eating well is a crucial factor in both keeping fit and healthy and fighting obesity and it is a lot more simple than it sounds."

Ms Cunning also revealed North Lincolnshire's four to five-year-olds currently have the lowest rate of obesity in the Yorkshire and Humber region, with figures down 2.7 per cent from last year.

Ms Cunning also said getting five portions of fruit and veg everyday was affordable; for example, buying loose rather than pre-packaged fruit and vegetables, buying produce that is in season and shopping around.

Sally Jackson, owner of the Pink Pig farm and shop, said: "We don't really compete with the big supermarkets, but it is important to note only 8p out of every pound spent at a supermarket goes back to the local community.

"We've actually done better this year than last and I think once people get a little more money in there pockets, sales of organic food produce will go up."

Growers say not only are sales increasing, but people are placing more emphasis than ever on supporting the local economy and the region's producers.

Steve Ward, of Uncle Henry's farm shop, said: "Our trading has increased year on year since we started four years ago.

"I think a lot of this is down to more people learning about Uncle Henry's, but also people becoming aware that supermarkets are not necessarily a cheaper alternative."