Hospital opens fruity stall to celebrate the punnets of Bonnie Dundee

AN innovative weekly fruit and vegetable stall was opened for the first time yesterday at one of Scotland's busiest hospitals.

The weekly stall, aimed at helping to ensure patients, staff and visitors can get access to the freshest produce available, has been launched at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital.

In partnership with Dundee Cyrenians, NHS Tayside will run the market stall every Tuesday between 11am and 4pm in the Fresh Air Garden at the main entrance to the hospital. NHS Tayside is also planning to extend the initiative to Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital

Murray Petrie, chairman of NHS Tayside's single delivery unit, said: "This weekly stall is a great opportunity for staff to have access to the freshest fruit and vegetables and help them get their recommended five a day. The market stall is another example of an innovative partnership which can make a real difference to our patients, visitors and staff."

Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside's director of public health, added: "We know that average fruit and vegetable consumption in Scotland falls far short of the recommended five portions per person per day and this is contributing to a wide range of health problems in Tayside.

"This new initiative is an indication of the commitment of NHS Tayside to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, improving nutrition generally and tackling avoidable causes of ill-health."