Traders jump onboard the Count Me In! Healthy Catering Challenge
Twenty-seven traders in Tewkesbury are taking part in a one-off opportunity to improve the nutritional content of the food they serve with the help of a panel of nutritional experts.
The Tewkesbury Healthy Catering Challenge is part of the Government-funded Count Me In! campaign - which is designed to inspire Tewkesbury residents of all ages to take part in a series of themed activities focused on food and nutrition, the environment and physical activity.
Throughout September, Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards officers have visited traders in the town encouraging them to take part in the challenge. So far, 27 have agreed to take part in the exciting challenge, which will see their most popular dish being analysed for its fat, sugar and salt content.
The analysis will be completed by Worcestershire Scientific Services, and once complete, nutritionist Gemma Heiser will work with the traders to adapt the sampled recipes to make them healthier.
Traders taking part in the challenge include: The Bay Tree (Church Street), Britannia Inn (High Street), Number One Sandwich Bar (High Street), The Northway (Northway Lane) and Turkish Delight (Church Street).
The consultation links with work being carried out nationally by the Food Standards Agency, which is working closely with the UK’s largest workplace caterers as well as smaller chains to encourage customers to make healthier choices when eating out.
Once the first stage of sampling and consultation is complete, the Food Officers will revisit the participating caterers in a year’s time to evaluate how well the food has been received, if any further changes have been made, and to re-analyse the food’s nutritional content.
Adrian Jevans, Gloucestershire Food Vision and Count Me In! board member, said: “It is really marvellous how all of these businesses are taking up the challenge to make their food healthier. It will mean customers will be able to enjoy all their favourite food and eating places - only healthier.”
Eddie Coventry, Head of Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see so many traders volunteering to take part in this extremely beneficial initiative.
“As a council we are continuously looking for new ways to tackle the healthy eating challenge and this is an excellent way of doing just that. “The experts’ verdicts will be interesting and I look forward to seeing and indeed tasting the improvements made further down the line.”