Armagh City and District Council has been involved in the pilot of the Northern Ireland Healthier Catering Award. The main aim of the Award is to improve consumers’ accessibility to healthier food choices in catering premises throughout NI by:
- making the healthy choice the easiest choice by increasing accessibility to healthier food
- inspiring caterers to provide and promote healthier food choices
- encouraging the public to try healthier food options
- rewarding caterers who make it easier for customers to eat healthily when eating out.
Premises were assessed on the criteria above and awarded a gold, silver or bronze award. Assessments of 8 premises within the Armagh City and District Council area were carried out. Three premises achieved the Silver award whilst the remaining five achieved the Bronze award.
The promotion of a Healthier Catering Award Scheme is an important element in contributing to the reduction in food related diseases and also in making the healthier choice the easy choice for consumers in relation to food they consume outside the home.
The pilot scheme is currently being evaluated and it is hoped that the scheme will be launched on a Northern Ireland wide basis in 2012.
For advice on serving healthier food please contact the Environmental Health Department.
