It’s important that menus offer healthy food choices and so we are highlighting the contribution caterers make to promoting 5-A-Day in the Borough through the Eatwell Awards (formerly known as Five for Life).

They are aimed at caterers in all kinds of establishments, including schools, pubs, workplaces, community centres, residential homes and cafés.  In order to win an award, the caterer has to consider healthier alternatives eg grilling bacon instead of frying it.  The award is about encouraging and highlighting the good things that are already happening.

The award has five levels – 1, 2, 3, Gold, Platinum – and to qualify the caterer has to satisfy the following criteria:

• Provision of healthy food choices, concentrating on increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables and decreasing the amount of saturated fat in dishes offered
• Provision of non-smoking dining areas
• Good standards of food hygiene
• Staff trained in basic food hygiene and with a good knowledge of healthy food choices on the menu
• Helping to create a more sustainable environment, by recycling, saving energy and increased environmental awareness

To see the winners to date for Schools, Cafes and dining rooms & Community and resource centres, nursing and residential homes, use the links on the right of this page.

Or you can download the full list in word (.doc) format here.