Are you a catering business or organisation aiming to serve delicious food that’s great for the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and the planet? The Best Food Forward Awards are for you! A collaboration between Food Plymouth – the city’s local sustainable food partnership – and the Public Health team at Plymouth City Council, the awards scheme sets out to recognise and celebrate hospitality settings making healthy, sustainable and local food a priority in Plymouth.
Recognising caterers putting Plymouth’s Best Food Forward
The awards scheme has two streams, being open to (a) food businesses catering for the general public and also to (b) kitchens and canteens serving specific settings such as health care, social care or education or workplace settings that serve specific groups rather than the general public.
In each case, caterers are invited to complete a dedicated survey covering action areas relating to encouraging healthier eating and supporting communities, to determine qualification for either a Bronze or Silver Award. A tailored process for businesses and organisations to progress onwards to Gold Award is in development. Specific action areas around health include practices around sugar, salt, fats and oils, boosting fruit, veg and fibre, and promoting healthier options to consumers. Those included in the supporting communities section cover accessibility, diverse community needs, ethical sourcing and supporting the local economy.
To access the survey for caterers serving the general public, please follow this link
Download a summary of the questions for reference here: Survey Questions Summary (caterers serving the general public)
Download a summary of the questions for reference here: Survey Questions Summary (caterers serving a specific setting)
Resources to help you along the way
The following guides are designed to help provide information and inspiration, covering action areas included within the survey and will continue to be regularly viewed and updated to ensure that each reflects the most recent health guidelines and best practice.
- Get Sugar Smart guide for caterers
- Get Salt Smart guide for caterers
- Get Oils and Fats Smart guide for caterers
- Boosting fruit, veg and fibre guide for caterers
- Portion sizes and promotions guide for caterers
What’s in it for me?
As a caterer, achieving a Best Food Forward award demonstrates that your food business or organisation is actively champion healthy and sustainable eating in the communities you serve. All those completing the survey will receive a set of top tips and resources to encourage future progression through to the relevant next stage. Businesses achieving an award will also receive a certificate, e-badge and sticker to display, plus an invitation to complete a directory profile to appear on the Food Plymouth website and the opportunity to join a supportive network of food enterprises across Plymouth.
As a member of the public, knowing that a business or organisation has achieved a Best Food Forward award means that you can have confidence in their commitment to providing healthy food benefiting inidividuals and communities in a variety of ways. It also helps you to learn about other places across Plymouth offering similarly good food.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the Best Food Forward awards scheme, please get in touch with the Food Plymouth team by emailing awards@foodplymouth.org.