Tasty morsels

Promoting healthy eating throughout the year

The forthcoming changes to the award mean that award holders will in future be unable to use the apple logo, or any other symbol, to highlight healthier menu items. Alternative ways of promoting healthy eating to customers will be more important than ever, and we will be issuing guidance in due course.

Currently, to gain the award, you must plan at least two promotional events a year to encourage healthier eating, and this requirement will remain once the changes are implemented. Some top ideas are:

  • Quizzes and competitions - e.g. a recipe competition.
  • Information display - leaflets, recipes etc.
  • Price promotions or free samples - to encourage customers to try new dishes.
  • Theme days - these could be linked to calendar events such as Valentine’s Day or St Patrick’s Day, with a range of healthier dishes on offer.
  • Cookery demonstrations.
  • Why not combine several of these ideas into a fun ‘Focus on...’ event, such as ‘Focus on Fibre’?

Different promotions will suit different establishments, so think about how some of these ideas could fit into your business.

And if you would like some booklets or leaflets to back up your promotion, a wide range is available to order from the Food Standards Agency on 0845 606 0667 or to download at www.food.gov.uk/aboutus/publications.

A flavour of…

Mini chicken burgers - serves 12

Recipe courtesy of Cost Effective Catering at Mary Erskine Junior School, Edinburgh

Method

  1. Heat grill.
  2. Blend the chickpeas and put into a bowl with onion, garlic, minced chicken and sweet potato.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  5. Divide the mixture into 12 and shape into mini burger patties.
  6. Place on baking sheet, brush lightly with a minimal amount of olive oil and grill for 10 minutes, turning once.
  7. Cut the burger buns in half and toast under the grill.
  8. Spread a little mayonnaise on the bottom half of the bun, top with chicken burger, lettuce, tomato and cucumber and place the top half of the bun on top.

Ingredients:
200g cooked chickpeas
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
500g chicken mince
1 small sweet potato (about 100g), steamed and mashed
Olive oil for brushing

12 wholemeal burger buns
2 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise
¼ iceberg lettuce, shredded
¼ cucumber, sliced
2 tomatoes, sliced

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issue seventeen:
February 2011
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The healthyliving awardNHS Health Scotland - Scotland's health improvement agencyHealthier Scotland - Scottish GovernmentHealthier Scotland - Scottish Government