Residential home tastes success in healthy eating award milestone

Richard Lown, food safety technical officer from Shropshire Council, with Tracy Smith, Audrey Pye, Beryl Breakwell and Diana Bryant from Sandford Residential and Nursing Home.

A landmark moment in the history of Shropshire’s Healthy Eating Award scheme was reached when the 200th accolade was presented by the council’s food safety team.

Sandford Residential and Nursing Home in Church Stretton gained the milestone award which recognises efforts to offer diners healthy options. The home was given a platinum award – the highest level any business can achieve.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“The scheme rewards premises that offer a range of healthy food choices, well-trained staff and good food hygiene procedures.

“I would like to congratulate Sandford Residential and Nursing Home and all the premises that have gained an award, on their efforts to produce a varied and healthy menu.

“It is great that more than 200 businesses have earned an award, highlighting how much has been achieved since the initiative was launched in the Shropshire Council area.

“The scheme plays an important role in the council’s wider work to encourage restaurants, cafes and other food establishments to offer diners’ healthy options on their menus, protect consumers and drive up standards in the food industry.”

Tracy Smith, manager of Sandford Residential and Nursing Home, said:

“This is a wonderful achievement by both the staff and residents. The award reflects the greater variety and choice of meals we now have to offer, and supports the efforts we have made to act on the suggestions of our residents. It has been very warmly received by everyone involved.”

James Gibson, Shropshire councillor for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, expressed his full support for Sandford Residential and Nursing Home’s team of staff led by Tracy Smith and all the residents for their efforts in achieving this award. He said:

“It has again proved that the Shropshire Healthy Eating Award is worthwhile – long may it continue.”

Under the Healthy Eating Award scheme, run by the food safety team at Shropshire Council, food premises can receive one of four different levels of award, from bronze to platinum.

Customers looking for a healthy choice can identify an award winning venue through window stickers and a certificate on display in the main eating area.

For more information on the Shropshire Healthy Eating Award, launched in 2006, go to shropshire.gov.uk/environmentalhealth.nsf or call the food safety team on 01743 251855 or 01743 251856.