Sherbrooke, August 29, 2016 – Saint-François MNA Guy Hardy welcomes the Quebec Produce Marketing Association’s donation of fruits and vegetables to the non-profit Sercovie organization in his riding. Sercovie has been hard at work for more than 40 years promoting the development of healthy lifestyle habits for those over 50 years of age. The QPMA’s contribution includes fruits and vegetables for the more than 500 clients who get their meals delivered to their homes thanks to the Sercovie Meals on Wheels program.
“Sercovie is very active in our community. In addition to adapting its services to the needs of our retirees, they help our seniors maintain healthy lifestyles by organizing and providing many activities. The QPMA’s donation will allow Sercovie to offer even more nutritious food to those they serve and more effectively educate them on the importance of healthy eating,” MNA Guy Hardy said.
“Every year since 1973, we’ve been there helping seniors and those with loss of autonomy, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors. Healthy eating for those 50 years of age and older can sometimes be a challenge. It’s a collective task we must work at continually. The support we’ve received today from our MNA Guy Hardy and the QPMA is a great help and encourages us to continue our work with the Sherbrooke community,” said Sercovie executive director Rémi Demers.
A fruitful partnership
Eating fruits and vegetables is intrinsically linked to developing healthy lifestyle habits. “A diet that is sufficient in fruits and vegetables is your best insurance policy for healthy aging,” says Julie DesGroseilliers, nutritionist and spokesperson for the I love 5 to 10 servings a day campaign. To ensure the growth in consumption of fruits and vegetables in Quebec, the QPMA has come up with a unique way of working with Members of the National Assembly to help local organizations in their ridings to benefit from donations of fruits and vegetables.
The I love 5 to 10 servings a day campaign was launched in 2004 to increase awareness on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. “We want to show everyone that eating fruits and vegetables is a simple pleasure, accessible to all, and good for everyone’s health,” said QPMA chief executive officer Sophie Perreault. “We’re very pleased that the MNA for Saint-François supports this initiative. It’s a real, concrete gesture that promotes healthy lifestyles for all Quebecers.”
ABOUT THE QPMA
Founded in 1947, the Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) is a non-profit organization that brings together members from every sector of the produce industry, working in close synergy with them and with its various industry partners. The QPMA, whose mission is to create a favourable environment for the development of fruit and vegetable marketing in Quebec, plays a leadership role in promoting fruits and vegetables, and represents and defends the best interests of its members with government and industry.
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Information:
Sophie Perreault
Chief Executive Officer, QPMA
514-777-6319
sperreault@aqdfl.ca
