Qatar- Winter market focuses on health of youth

Date

3/3/2016 9:50:44 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Visitors at Al Mazrouah Yard in Umm Salal.

By Sanaullah Ataullah

DOHA: Al Mazrouah Yard the winter vegetable market near Umm Salal has emerged as a platform to promote healthy eating habits among the younger generation in Qatar.

The yard the biggest of the three across Qatar has been attracting a large number of visitors to its locally produced vegetables fruits and poultry products offered at attractive prices.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment in collaboration with the Community College has organised a special event at the yard to raise health awareness among youth.

The two-day event ‘Youth awareness for better health’ opened yesterday and features innovative activities to raise awareness about the importance of having fresh and healthy food and avoiding fast food and junk food.

It was part of activities being held in the country to fight the alarmingly growing rate of obesity among youth.

College students were introduced to organic vegetables from local farms for sale at the yard and learnt about ways of cultivating organic food.

The students were also told about healthy diet and treated to fresh organic vegetables brought from the farms.

The event aimed to raise awareness among the community in general and youth in particular about healthy food and the importance of consuming more vegetables and fruits that provide nutritions required for the body organisers said.

Dr Abdulla Al Hazaima Dean of the college who accompanied the students to the yard said activities focused on encouraging youth to avoid fast food as much as possible given the high rate of obesity in the country.

The event was also part activities being held under the social responsibility initiative of the college. There are plans to conduct similar events in schools to educate children on nutritions and healthy food.

Abdul Rahman Al Sulaity Supervisor General of the winter markets said the ministry has given utmost importance to such initiatives to promote healthy food habits.

He said Al Safwa farm has showcased fresh organics fruits and vegetables at the yard.

The yard is also promoting locally produced poultry products and will hold a special festival on meat and dairy items on March 11 to showcase meat and fresh milk from local farms.

Masood Jarallah Al Merri Director Agricultural Department at the ministry honoured Dr Al Hazaima.

Al Mazrouah recently organised a festival to promote the popular kanar fruit of Al Sidra tree and another festival to introduce locally cultivated strawberries — from farms. Both events were a big hit with visitors.

The yard also organizes honey festivals to promote production at local farms. The Peninsula

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