Youngsters will be invited to put their fruit pulping pedal power to the test today (Friday 11 July) as the smoothiecycle rides into town.
From blitzing bananas to squashing strawberries, the unique smoothie making contraption will be ready to ride at the David Welch Winter Gardens in Duthie Park, Aberdeen from 11am until 2pm.
Part of the Planet Plant summer project hosted by the University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre, the smoothiecycle aims to educate youngsters on the important issues of nutrition, health and the environment.
Resembling an exercise bike, pedal power is used to generate a blender attached to the stationary cycle, which pulverises the fruit creating delicious and nutritious smoothie drinks.
The smoothiecycle is sponsored by The Scottish Co-operative.
Fairtrade fruit donated by The Scottish Co-operative will be used to create the smoothies. The consumer-owned retailer is also offering free Fairtrade bananas for the first 50 children to attend Planet Plant each day.
Marie Fish, Education Officer at the University's Natural History Centre, who devised and organised the summer project, said: "We are thrilled to have the smoothiecycle ride into town to be part of our summer project. The smoothiecycle is a unique and entertaining way to communicate crucial messages about the food we eat and the way we lead our lives. Using physical activity in order to create delicious and healthy smoothies promotes both the concepts of nutrition and fitness - whilst highlighting the benefits of cycling in reducing your carbon footprint.
"Educating youngsters in order to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices is essential. As with all of the events taking place as part of the Planet Plant summer project, the aim is to engage young people of all ages with globally significant topics through entertaining and interactive activities and events."
Co-operative affairs officer Ken Greenshields said: "The Scottish Co-operative is always in the lead when it comes to promoting healthy lifestyles and we're sure our smoothiecycle will be a real hit with those attending today's event."
Continuing the concept of health promotion, next week Planet Plant will take on the theme of A Wealth of Health where an array of activities such as a healthy food trail, a "Square Meals" game and an "Eat Smart" stage production by Live Wire Productions will be on offer.
The Planet Plant summer project continues every Monday to Friday until the 25 July at the David Welch Winter Gardens, Duthie Park, Aberdeen. Planet Plant is free and open to all ages, however children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information please see: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/nhc/holiday.shtml