BUSINESSES RANGING from restaurants and public sector organisations to contract caterers and food manufacturers are being urged to highlight best practice in healthy eating provision, sourcing and encouraging behavioral change, by submitting their initiatives to the only industry scheme celebrating progress in moving forward the health and wellbeing agenda across the entire foodservice supply chain.
The 2014 Health and Vitality Honours, whose ambassador is nutritionist and media commentator Amanda Ursell, is now in its second year and was created to draw attention to the great strides being made in the foodservice sector in improving the health of the nation.
Dr Susan Jebb, OBE, Chair of the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal Food Network will oversee the assessment of entries as principle judge.
In the face of obesity challenges and high instances of diet-related illness across the UK, the foodservice supply chain has an essential role to play, as Charles Miers, Managing Director of Footprint Media Group, creators of the honours, explains: “In comparison to the rest of Europe, the UK has the highest levels of obesity and related illness, and although there are well publicised public health initiatives like change4life, FSA food labelling standards and the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal, the foodservice industry has its own crucial role to play in improving public health.
“The 2014 Health and Vitality Honours will recognise excellence in those sourcing and providing food in workplaces and restaurants, public sector establishments, manufacturers of healthy products and ingredients and those who are driving behavioural change by educating and encouraging their customers to make healthier more informed meal choices. The key to this is real transparency across the foodservice supply chain.”
Nick Fenwicke-Clennell, Footprint Media Group CEO added: “Considerable public health challenges face the nation and the foodservice industry, feeding millions daily, is in a unique position to make a serious impact where health and nutrition is concerned. There is already evidence of some excellent, innovative initiatives in foodservice and Health & Vitality Honours is designed to recognise those. But perhaps more importantly, the scheme is there to highlight the opportunity and benefits to businesses and customers alike of keeping health and nutrition front of mind at all stages of food production and delivery.”
The six categories include honours for excellence in health and vitality communication and engagement, health and vitality sourcing, public sector health and vitality, corporate vitality, healthy hospitality and responsible manufacturing, as well as a separate special achievement category for individuals who have made a notable contribution to health and vitality in foodservice.
Last year’s winners included Sodexo for their work with the British Armed Forces, Charlton House for their ‘Wellbeingbeingwell’ initiative, DB Foods for their High Welfare English Veal and Nestle Professional for Corporate Vitality.
The awards are open for entries now until 9th November. On-line submissions only. Click HERE for information, footage and how to enter.
