The UK’s first ever range of fresh vegetables aimed at encouraging kids to eat healthier food is being launched by Tesco.
The range, which goes on sale in the UK this week, will begin with easy-to-eat, star-shaped butternut squash bites. It will then roll out to include other fresh produce including smiley sweet potato faces.
Traditionally a technique used for products like tinned alphabet spaghetti and frozen potato dishes, this is the first time this approach has been used for fresh fruit and veg. Tesco has taken learnings from how children relate to foods with interesting shapes and sizes and hopes it will help make mealtimes more engaging and fun and encourage them to explore a wider range of vegetables.
Tesco vegetable buyer Elizabeth Hall said: “We want to give parents a helping hand with encouraging their kids to eat more vegetables. “We’ve taken away a lot of the hassle out of preparing vegetables like butternut squash, which might deter busy cooks at home, whilst also making them more appealing for children. We hope by adding a touch of novelty, we can make vegetables the deliciously nutritious and fun part of every meal.”
The creation of the butternut squash stars is the latest way Tesco partners with growers so that no edible food goes to waste. Hall added: “At Tesco we’re passionate about tackling food waste from farm to fork. We work with our growers and suppliers to make sure we use as much of their crops as possible to prevent food waste. Besides these stars, butternut is used to make our carb alternatives such as fusilli, spaghetti, lasagne sheets, as well as wedges and soups.”
“These Butternut squash stars are brilliant way to excite kids with great tasting, high quality vegetables that also helps producers who are able to sell even more of their crop.”
Did you know?
Butternut squash is fat free, salt free and low in calories and a good source of vitamin A, which is beneficial to the immune system and keeps skin, teeth and gums healthy and strong. It is also a source of vitamin C, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Three heaped tablespoons of diced butternut squash count as one of your 5-a-day.
