Healthier Catering Commitment

The project

The Healthier Catering Commitment for London is a scheme run by the London Boroughs with support from the Mayor of London and the Association of Environmental Health Mangers (Alehm).

• The scheme recognises businesses in London that demonstrate a commitment to reducing the levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar in the food sold in their premises, and to make smaller portions available on request.
• Food consumed outside of the home tends to be higher in saturated fats, salt and sugar than food freshly prepared at home.  The Healthier Catering Commitment helps businesses to make small changes to the way they cook and serve food and improve their customer’s health.
• Customers can be assured that healthier food choices are available in the businesses that deliver the Healthier Catering Commitment.

The Association of London Environmental Health Managers developed the Healthier Catering Commitment scheme in Autumn 2010 in response to London Boroughs that wanted to help businesses to offer healthier options.

Participating food businesses receive personalised support to make small changes that will make a big difference to the health of their customers. The changes are simple enough for the smallest operators, but scalable for larger businesses. Participating businesses report that the changes reduce wastage and save money.

The initiative

The Association of London Environmental Health Managers developed the Healthier Catering Commitment scheme in autumn 2010 in response to London Boroughs that wanted to help businesses to offer healthier options. Participating food businesses receive personalised support to make the small changes that will make a big difference to the health of their customers.  The changes are simple enough for the smallest of operators, but scalable for larger businesses. Participating businesses report that the changes reduce wastage and save money as well! The Healthier Catering Commitment is a flexible scheme which is delivered by London boroughs by a variety of departments, Environmental Health departments, Public Health departments, third party contractors and health practitioners. Since the launch of the scheme in 2011, we are delighted to report it has been supported by the Mayor of London and the London Food Board. The Mayor of London’s Food Strategy 2018 details the GLA’s support for the scheme to improve good food shopping and eating out.

For further information please see www.healthiercateringcommitment.co.uk

Or contact Alice Bimpong at alice.bimpong@towerhamlets.gov.uk or Charmaine Bell at charmaine@alehm.org.uk

“We are delighted about our partnership with the London Food Board and the HCC. Through making some changes to the menu as well as increasing healthier options available, we want to encourage fast food businesses to purchase healthier products which, in turn, we hope will have a positive impact on what customers eat.” – Terry Larkin, Group General Manager, JJ Food Service.

What we did

The project allows boroughs to tailor delivery to their own preferences. Some focus on takeaways, schools or areas of deprivation. Many work in partnership groups such as public health teams, supports and leisure providers and Enterprise Organisations.

The Association of London Environmental Health Managers has supported National wholesaler JJ Food Service in the production of a healthier eating brochure that was distributed to the 13,000 food businesses that they supply. This included a 10% discount off five HCC-approved items, such as healthier rapeseed oils, for businesses that made the Healthier Catering Commitment.

Local authorities – how to join?

For more information, contact Alice Bimpong at alice.bimpong@towerhamlets.gov.uk or Charmaine Bell at charmaine@alehm.org.uk

More information

For more information about this project see our Knowledge Hub or contact Alice Bimpong at alice.bimpong@towerhamlets.gov.uk or Charmaine Bell at charmaine@alehm.org.uk