RTÉ
Breakfast is on us! RTÉ’s Operation Transformation announces first ever
Free Porridge Day
RTÉ’s Operation Transformation is teaming up with Irish oat producer Flahavan’s to give away 200,000 packets of oats this Saturday, 28 January, for the first ever RTÉ Operation Transformation Free Porridge Day – that’s enough free oats to make three million servings of porridge!
RTÉ Operation Transformation Free Porridge Day is the brainchild of obesity expert Professor Donal O’Shea who says the benefits of porridge for breakfast are endless and can help improve the health of the nation.
Professor Donal O’Shea commented: “In terms of the weight problems Ireland faces there isn’t a better public health message than how important a healthy breakfast is. It really sets you up for the day – and you won’t do better than porridge to kick things off. I really hope that giving away 200,000 packets of porridge will get new people to try it – at home with their families. It could make a huge difference to their health and the health of the country overall. Sounds too simple to be true – but this back to basics message delivered on an Operation Transformation scale is just brilliant.”
For ten years RTÉ’s Operation Transformation has encouraged the nation to eat healthily and get moving; highlighting the importance of long-term health and well-being. RTÉ Operation Transformation Free Porridge Day is an initiative to promote porridge oats as a healthy food for breakfast and encourage families who don’t have porridge for breakfast to give it a try.
The 200,000 limited edition RTÉ Operation Transformation Flahavan’s porridge packs will be available free nationwide on Saturday 28 January. The 500g packs will be distributed through supermarkets SuperValu, Tesco, EuroSpar and Dunnes Stores. Customers will need to scan their pack at the checkout, allowing one per shopper per household to ensure fair distribution. It is advisable to visit stores early to receive a limited edition free pack.
Managing Director of Flahavan’s, John Flahavan said: “Flahavan’s are delighted to come on board with this exciting initiative to help people get back to wholesome natural foods. We believe that is is a unique opportunity for Flahavan’s to join up with Operation Transformation to reach every corner of Ireland and encourage each and every household to think differently about how they start their day to live longer, live better.”
The RTÉ Operation Transformation leaders and experts will be in supermarkets all around the country on Saturday. You’ll find them in the following locations:
|
Leader/expert |
Time/Location |
|
Marie Grace |
9am to 12noon at Dunnes Stores, Jetland, Cahirdaven, Limerick |
|
Karl Henry |
9am to 12noon at Tesco, Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas, Cork |
|
Dr Eddie Murphy |
9am to 12noon at SuperValu, Loughrea Shopping Centre, Athenry Road, Pollroebuck, Loughrea, Co. Galway |
|
Seán Daly |
2pm to 4pm at Tesco, Dublin Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare |
|
Dr Ciara Kelly and Yvonne Keenan Ross |
9am to 12noon at Dunnes Stores, The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth |
|
Chris McElligott |
2pm to 4pm at Supervalu, Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords, Dublin |
|
Aoife Hearne |
9am to 12noon at Eurospar, The Causeway, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
|
Maireád Redmond |
2pm to 4pm at Eurospar, Newpark Shopping Centre, Kilkenny |
RTÉ Operation Transformation is sponsored by Safefood.
ENDS
Date: Wednesday 25 January 2017
Contact: Sarah Neville, RTÉ Press Office, 01-208 2872, 0879800561,sarah.neville@rte.ie
Notes to the Editor:
Additional images available.
For more follow #OperationOats
Porridge has been a breakfast staple on the RTÉ’s Operation Transformation plan since the first series because of its cheap, convenient and versatile nature as well as its vast array of health benefits. Including porridge in your diet has been found to help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, several forms of cancer and various gastrointestinal problems. This year, RTÉ Operation Transformation Free Porridge Day, aims to raise awareness of the importance of porridge in people’s lives. On Saturday 28 January 2017, the nation will be able to avail of a complimentary pack of Flahavan’s oats in supermarkets across the country.
The Ray D’Arcy show on RTÉ Radio 1 is the radio home for RTÉ Operation Transformation.
Operation Transformation airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
Follow the food and exercise plan at www.rte.ie/ot