Healthy living has become one of Chile's objectives in comabating high obesity rates, through various measures in the public and private sector, with a particular focus on children.

The Produce Marketing Association's (PMA) Chilean Council has launched the 'Healthy Snack for Chile Programme', which is a public-private initiative aimed at getting children to eat fruit daily in school, reducing sugar and fat intakes.

The pilot programme began one month ago across 15 schools in the community of Buin in Región Metropolitana, and was officially launched yesterday at the Lyceum Haydee Azocar yesterday.

The objective of PMA in Chile, represented by business Yentzen Consulting, is to promote the interests of the fruit, vegetable and floral industries, representing several companies in the supply chain. PMA also develops a diverse range of initiatives to raise awareness and change consumer habits.

The mayor of Buin expressed his satisfaction and joy that it was his community was a pioneer in the programme to deliver fruit to all children. He also highlighted the commitment of private enterprise in the implementation of the initiative.

Decofrut president and PMA Chilean Council member José Manuel Alcaíno, said the U.S. entity was involved in promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetable in all ways.

"We have successfully implemented this wonderful programme to deliver fruit to all children in the community of Buin for every day of classes, which operationally is a huge project and we are very happy with it," he said.

"We hope that the results of this year in this community give us the sign to improve the programme and extend it t the majority of Chilean communities, with a special focus on those where producers from our industry put their efforts."

It is expected that the programe could spread to other locations in 2012.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com