On 7 October, at the Evènement Fruits et Légumes in Angers, France, Joël Sarlot, vice-president of the Conseil Général of the Vendée, signed a charter calling on regional players to develop concrete plans to promote the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.

According to Interfel, the French interprofessional organisation behind the charter, the event confirmed the importance that the Conseil Général of the Vendée accorded to fruit and vegetables and their impact on public health.

Since 2006, Mr Sarlot has been involved in numerous programmes to improve food quality and the public diet, most notably with regard to the country’s schools.

Following the success of its 2006-2008 programme in 61 schools in the department, the Conseil Général decided to conduct a new programme for 2006-2010 entitled “Dietary balance and promoting fruit and vegetable consumption”.