Welcome to the autumn edition of Coretalk

As the darker nights draw in, it’s time to take stock and look back over the progress made by the healthyliving award since its launch. Over this time we’ve met and worked with hundreds of caterers, and the commitment and enthusiasm of so many of them never fails to impress us. It’s thanks to them that consumers throughout Scotland are now finding it easier to eat healthily when eating out.

In this issue we have news of some new resources to get the healthy eating message across to staff and young customers, and you can read how the Food Standards Agency is encouraging us all to cut down on salt in our diet.

With the conference season upon us, read how a major north-east venue is introducing healthier options to event and function menus, and why not give our recipe for a warming spicy starter a try?

What’s cooking?

Looking back and looking forward


Sodexo at OKI Printing Solutions, one of the very first award holders

Incredibly it’s now over three years since the healthyliving award was launched and the first awards were presented. From the very start, caterers throughout the food service sector welcomed the award with open arms, making it easier for people across Scotland to make healthier choices when eating out.

From the first six awards that were presented back in October 2006, the number has grown to over 750 awards that have been presented in total. This includes well over 100 establishments that have renewed their award for a second two-year term.

The impact on consumers has also grown enormously, with almost 300,000 people a day now eating in establishments where they can choose a healthier option by looking out for the apple logo on the menu.

The award has spread to reach almost every part of Scotland, and the diversity of award holding establishments is also impressive. The first awards were made to workplaces, a college, a hotel and a coffee shop, and the range has now expanded to encompass all manner of catering outlets including sandwich bars, leisure centres, restaurants, community and day centres, independent schools, visitor attractions and many others.

And since the Scottish Government directed all NHS hospitals to achieve the award for their staff and visitor catering outlets, more than 120 of these are now numbered among the award holders.


Almond Catering at Registers of Scotland, who recently gained the healthyliving award plus

It’s always a delight to see caterers being recognised for their achievements and being officially presented with their certificates. We have held several award ceremonies over the last three years in venues as diverse as the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and most recently Perth Concert Hall.

These award presentations are a chance for award holders to come together to celebrate their success. A great sense of occasion prevails, and caterers go away with the assurance that all their hard work has been well worthwhile and is really making a difference to their customers.

Recognising the success of the award to date, the Scottish Government has renewed its commitment to funding the healthyliving award. And by working with caterers to continue to expand the reach of the award across Scotland, we look forward to making even more of an impact over the years to come.

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Food Service Sector
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Customers
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issue twelve:
November 2009
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The healthyliving awardNHS Health Scotland - Scotland's health improvement agencyHealthier Scotland - Scottish GovernmentHealthier Scotland - Scottish Government