Lancashire County Council rewarded businesses for supporting the health of the community in an award ceremony at Rawtenstall Market.
Lancashire County Council rewarded businesses for supporting the health of the community in an award ceremony at Rawtenstall Market.
7 food businesses from Rossendale received awards for pledging to make simple changes to their menus and policies to promote healthier eating.
Recipe 4 Health, the healthier eating award scheme, was introduced by Lancashire Trading Standards and is awarded by Lancashire County Council and supported locally by environmental health officers from Rossendale Borough Council.
Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Andrew Walmsley presented bronze awards, the first stage of the scheme, to businesses from across the Valley, with samples of their menus available to the invited guests.
The free award encourages local food businesses including restaurants, takeaways, catering services, or cafés, to make simple changes to their menus and policies, to support the health of the local community.
The award criteria focus on healthier eating, environmental issues, and social responsibility.
Donna Miller, from Crumb in Rawtenstall, said: “I think it is a great initiative to get involved in. We love what we do and it's really important to us to provide good quality and healthy options for our customers - especially as people are so much more conscious of what they eat nowadays.
“The protein boxes we offer are especially popular. They are crammed with fresh heathy ingredients, such as grilled spicy chicken, salad and veg. We clearly state how many calories are in each box and ensure they’re low in salt but packed with taste. I think people really appreciate knowing what they’re eating and what the calorie count is. It’s been a winner for us.”
Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Michael Green said: “The Recipe 4 Health campaign is a brilliant way to promote healthier eating and smart food choices across the county.
“It’s great that Rossendale Borough Council have organised this event as a way of showcasing the businesses that have signed up so far and recognising their commitment to offering healthier options. Small changes can make a big difference and have a great impact on our health, and we want to show people just how easy it is to make those healthier choices.”
Kadir Aktay, who runs Amphora Kitchen in Rawtenstall Market, is passionate about food and makes all his dishes to ensure the highest quality. He said: “Our philosophy revolves around creating delicious flavours while ensuring that our ingredients are of the highest quality and promote a healthy lifestyle.
“In our pursuit of healthy eating, we carefully craft our recipes to offer a diverse range of flavours and strive to provide options that satisfy everyone's culinary preferences without compromising on taste. This award highlights the efforts we have poured into creating nourishing and delicious food and we’re extremely proud of it.”
Rossendale Mayor Cllr Walmsley said: “It’s really important we recognise initiatives like this. We have a responsibility as a borough to help look after the health of our residents and if we can shine a light on those businesses that take it seriously as well, we must take that opportunity.
“Being a bit more conscious of the food we’re eating doesn’t mean we have to scrimp on taste either, especially if what I’ve sampled today is anything to go by!
“I urge local businesses to actively participate in the award program, promoting healthier eating and wise food selections within our community and I’d encourage members of the public to keep an eye out for the 'Recipe 4 Health' stickers displayed in the windows of our local cafes and takeaways.”
There are three levels to the Recipe 4 Health award – bronze, silver and gold. Any out-of-home food businesses can apply for the R4H award.
To apply for bronze, businesses must have a 3* hygiene rating; to apply for silver, they must have a 4* rating; and to apply for gold, they must have a 5* rating.
Businesses must apply for bronze before applying for silver, and silver before applying to gold. The award is free to apply for and businesses can apply to the R4H award at any time of the year.
To apply, businesses must complete a self-assessment form. Those who make the grade, following the assessment, are awarded a certificate and window sticker to display at their premises and the business will be promoted via the scheme website and Lancashire County Council/district council social media channels.
For more information about Recipe 4 Health and to download the award self-assessment form visit lancashire.gov.uk/recipe4health or email recipe4health@lancashire.gov.uk.