• The Crackersnacks Project was developed as part of the Europe Against Cancer Campaign in 2000 that had the theme of Nutrition and Cancer.
• The aim was to focus on children and their parents, encouraging the children to eat more fruit and vegetables - at least 5 portions daily, whilst encouraging both schools and parents to provide more fruit and vegetables for the children.
• A Teacher's Pack was developed, incorporating lesson plans, fact sheets, fruit and vegetable list, resources sheet and word search.
• Eat 5 resources were also used and evaluated by teachers and P7 pupils across Northern Ireland as part of the Project.

Crackersnacks is an effective tool to improve children's knowledge on the Eat 5 message, but needs to be part of an ongoing programme for healthier choices to be available in schools and at home. To change behaviour fruit and vegetables need to be cheaper, readily available and promoted as the easy snack choice for all.

Diet has been linked to at least 35% of cancers so eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables is an important message for all that, if followed, will help reduce the risk of developing some of the common cancers here in Northern Ireland.