New Golden Plains website to up your veggie intake

GOLDEN Growers is the new online hub introduced by the Golden Plains Shire to inspire residents to get familiar with vegetables.

The project aims to provide information and suggestions to increase the municipality’s home grown vegetable intake.

According to the Victorian Population Health Survey, 60 per cent of Golden Plains Shire residents currently do not consume the recommended amount of fresh food.

Noting this, upping the area’s fruit and vegetable consumption is a priority within the municipality’s larger health and wellbeing plan.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said he encourages residents to take advantage of the new online resource and reap the rewards of eating home-grown food.

“We know that eating vegetables is great for our health,” he said.

“They are a fantastic source of many vitamins and minerals and consuming a wide variety of vegetables is a protective measure in preventing diseases such as high cholesterol, type two diabetes and heart disease.”

With the help from community submissions and the Shire’s partners, the Golden Growers website hopes to feature ‘how to’ videos and resources on growing, preparing and cooking with a variety of vegetables.

The Shire is also calling for local green thumbs to share their tips and tricks on growing fruit and vegetables in a bid to improve residents’ access by growing their own.

“This project is all about making it easier to grow and incorporate vegetables into your meals at home by providing a platform for the community to share their knowledge,” Cr Sharkey said.

The Golden Growers page can be found at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/goldengrower.

Residents with a vegetable-packed recipe that they would like to share can contact the Health and Wellbeing team at 5220 7111 or email [email protected].