Healthy eating on the menu

The restaurant and coffee shop at Shirehall in Shrewsbury have gained the top award in a scheme which recognises efforts to offer diners healthy options.

The Platinum Shropshire Healthy Eating Award has been achieved by the Column Restaurant and QC Coffee Shop run by Shropshire Council.

Platinum is the highest level any business can be awarded and rewards premises that offer a range of healthy food choices, well- trained staff and good food hygiene procedures.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said:

“Catering manager Claire Downing and her team have shown real commitment to improve on a previous gold award and achieve the highest level possible.

“This is a great achievement, especially as it is not always easy to produce a good, wide choice of healthy meals in work place settings.   Furthermore, the Column Restaurant and QC Coffee Shop at  Shropshire Council’s headquarters are not only used by staff but also by members of the public.

“As with all areas of the council, it is about offering both quality and value. While ensuring all costs are covered, the team has worked really hard to develop their menu to provide more healthy choices.

“Shropshire Council is practising what it preaches when it comes to healthy eating. Claire and her Shire Services team should be congratulated on all their efforts to produce a varied and healthy menu.”

The Healthy Eating Award scheme is run by the Food Safety Team at Shropshire Council.  Under the scheme, food premises can receive one of four different levels of award, from bronze to platinum.

For more information on the Shropshire Healthy Eating Award, including applying for an award, go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/environmentalhealth.nsf or contact Matthew Aldridge on 01743 251855 or Jo Messer from the food safety team on 01743 251856.