M&S Food has launched a multi-year partnership with England, Scotland, CYMRU and the Northern Ireland National Football Teams to promote healthy eating.
Through M&S ‘Eat Well’ initiative and the home nation football associations, the retailer aims to use ‘the power of football’ and the influence of UK ‘footballing heroes’ to help families make healthier choices.
Under the campaign banner ‘Eat Well, Play Well’, the in-store campaign launching in July will showcase the eating habits of home nation football players to promote positive healthy eating messages for kids in a way that’s ‘engaging, relatable and drives change’.
“The partnership is packed with initiatives – from in store exclusives where budding footballers can find out their favourite players’ recipes and eating plans and free fruit for kids, to unprecedented online insight on players, managers and legends sharing their favourite Eat Well products,” M&S Food said.
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M&S claim that 53% of Brits are concerned about family health, with 33% sharing concerns on getting nutritious food into their diets.
The announcement of the partnership comes ahead of CYMRU and Scotland men’s teams playing deciding games in June and the Northern Ireland and English women’s teams getting ready for an important Summer.
“By harnessing the influence of the players as role models, we want to encourage children and families to make healthier food choices through choosing Eat Well,” M&S CEO Stuart Machin said.
“We have nearly 2000 delicious Eat Well products across our Food Hall, and online through Ocado, from great quality fruit and vegetables to meals, snack and drinks, all at trusted value. We’re constantly developing and improving our ranges, to give our customers delicious, healthier choices every day.”
England team players will have exclusive access to fresh Eat Well smoothies in a bid to promote the retailer’s initiative on a long-term basis.
England Men’s team manager Gareth Southgate added: “Through our partnership with M&S Food and Eat Well we are aiming to help families across the country make healthier eating choices using the power of football.”
“We believe the fuel and recovery habits of all England players play an important role in their development and performance and partnering with M&S Food on joint initiatives will help inspire and influence this across the England Pathway of teams from Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Disability teams”.
Scotland Men’s head coach Steve Clarke concluded: “Through our partnership with M&S Food and Eat Well we are aiming to help families across the country make healthier eating choices by using the power of football.”
“What our players eat is essential to performance and we’re thrilled that we can use our national teams to tell such an important message to future generations – and maybe inspire Scotland internationalists of the future.”
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