NSW health statistics show that across the Mid North Coast, 88 per cent of adults don’t eat enough vegetables, while 47 per cent don’t eat enough fruit.

Cancer Council’s nutrition project officer Juanita Nantes said the recent study highlighted that a third of all cancers could be prevented if people adopted a healthy lifestyle, including eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy weight.

She said to help change this, the Cancer Council is hoping to recruit parents on the Mid North Coast to the Eat It To Beat It program - a free 90-minute Fruit and Veg Sense workshop.

The workshop is designed to help parents understand the importance of family members eating two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day to cut cancer risk.

 “Our workshops provide parents with ideas, skills and resources to help them include more fruit and vegetables in their family’s diet,” Ms Nantes said.

“Ensuring that kids have enough fruit and vegetables every day will contribute to a balanced diet and is a great way parents can teach their children healthy habits for life.”

The Fruit & Veg Sense workshops offer parents of primary school aged children practical information and advice to build on their existing skills in preparing healthy family meals with a focus on increasing fruit and veg intake across the day.

Easy ways to incorporate more fruit and veg in the family diet, menu planning, recipe modification, tips to save money and clever ways to entice fussy eaters are covered. Participants also receive a free recipe book.

A local workshop will be held at Stuarts Point Public School on June 1 from 9:15am.

More local schools are encouraged to register a free workshop at their school.

If you would like to organise a workshop register no later than May 20 by phoning (02) 6639 1306 or go to: http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/eatitotbeatit