The website, which is a strategic levy investment through Hort Innovation, includes a vast array of information about more than 80 different vegetables. The information on offer includes the specific health benefits of incorporating each vegetable into your diet and the best way to store, prepare and cook them to ensure peak taste and nutritional benefits are experienced when eating vegetables.
AUSVEG Deputy Chair Belinda Adams, a leafy vegetable grower from the Gold Coast, says the resource is a highly educational and easy to use interactive tool that gives consumers accurate information about the health benefits of vegetables that can be used to encourage increased vegetable consumption.
“We know that less than five per cent of Australians meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables, which is a huge concern given the many health benefits that a vegetable-rich diet has for a healthy lifestyle,” said Mrs Adams.
“The Veggycation website is a great tool that provides a refreshing way to learn not only about the health benefits of different vegetables, but also the best way to store them to reduce waste and increase shelf life, as well as the best cooking methods to make the best use of their natural taste and health benefits.”
Veggycation also includes valuable information for growers – both professional farmers and home gardeners – about harvesting, postharvest storage and handling different vegetables, as well as nutrition and health claims that growers can include in their promotional materials to further educate consumers about the health benefits of their products to encourage increased sales.
“As a grower, this resource is also really important as it has grower-focused nutrition and health claims, already pre-approved by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, that I can use to promote my specific vegetable products and lines to consumers,” said Mrs Adams.
“Australian vegetable growers work tirelessly to provide healthy vegetables to our customers – this resource arms growers and the wider industry with information to educate consumers about the many health and wellbeing benefits that incorporating more vegetables into their diets can provide, which will hopefully lead to an increase in consumption across the board.”
To access the Veggycation online tool, visit veggycation.com.au.