Published Friday 3 December 2021 at 12:45
Local food businesses from Blackburn with Darwen are working to support residents’ health.
Delicious food is back on the menu
On Tuesday 30th November several trailblazing food businesses attended a ‘Takeaway Masterclass’ at Bank Top Adult Learning Centre in Blackburn with Darwen. The masterclass was run by Food Active, the delivery partner for the Pennine Lancashire Childhood Obesity Trailblazer, Healthier Place, Healthier Future* (HPHF). The HPHF project is one of five trailblazers funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. The session marked the exciting launch of the rebranded and refreshed Recipe 4 Health (R4H) award, a healthier catering commitment granted by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Businesses invited ranged from catering providers, cafes and takeaways.
What is the Recipe 4 Health (R4H)?
The Recipe 4 Health (R4H) award recognises food businesses that promote healthy eating, environmental issues, and social responsibility. The award has been renewed as part of the HPHF childhood obesity trailblazer. Businesses are a focus area for the trailblazer and therefore will receive targeted support in tweaking products to be healthier, this may be done through reducing portion size, baking rather than frying, or reducing the salt and sauces in servings.
Trailblazing takeaways
Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth and Development at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and co-chair of the HPHF steering board kicked off the session. Councillor Riley said:
“It’s our responsibility as a borough to look after our health and to guide the role that food businesses play in this, with those businesses serving healthier food to be promoted and celebrated.”
The masterclass event consisted of a presentation on the new R4H award and top tips for healthier catering from Chloe Higham-Smith and Emily Whyman, Project Officers at Food Active. Businesses were challenged to a taste test to compare lower fat and/or lower salt versions of common sauces found in food outlets, such as mayo, ketchup, and soy sauce. The winners of each taste test were often the lower salt or fat versions, with businesses highlighting that these versions had more flavour. The event closed with a ‘business pledge’ made by business owners/managers to make their food healthier and more sustainable. Pledges included minimising salt, addressing food waste and looking at vegetarian alternatives. Re-Fresh Meal Prep provided delicious and balanced lunches for the attendees to take away.
What to look out for?
There will be more takeaway masterclasses to follow – if you are a food business based in Blackburn with Darwen and interested in attending please contact info@foodactive.org.uk to find out more. If you are a customer who wants to make sure that you are getting a healthy meal for your breakfast, lunch or dinner, look out for the Recipe 4 Health stickers in cafe and takeaway windows!
