CHEFS Award Scheme
Martin Holland from Penwith District Council explains how all six Cornish district and borough councils worked in partnership to launch the CHEFS award scheme, which combines criteria on food safety, healthy eating and encourages use of local produce and smoke free areas.
Project Name: Cornwall Healthier Eating & Food Safety (CHEFS) Award
Project Start Date: October 2005
Project origins, aims and objectives: The Award aims to recognise businesses (except manufacturers) within the County that are protecting their customers' health and well-being. In an award winning food business the customer will be guaranteed an opportunity to make healthier food choices and can be confident that high standards of food hygiene are maintained. In addition the Award aims to promote the use of local produce and encourages businesses to adopt no-smoking areas.
Organisations Involved:
- Caradon District Council
-Carrick District Council
-Restormel Borough Council
-Kerrier District Council
-North Cornwall District Council
-Penwith District Council
-Eatsome Project (part of the Healthy Living Initiative and the Health Promotion Service in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly)
Background:
The launch of the award in October 2005 was the culmination of over a years work by a sub group of the Cornwall CEHO Food Group. One representative from each of the local authorities sat on the sub group. A representative from the Eatsome Project assisted the group on the healthy eating criteria of the award scheme and facilitated two half-day training sessions for all food officers in Cornwall, giving guidance on how to assess the healthy eating criteria. A self-assessment checklist was devised by the Eatsome representative. The group commissioned students from Falmouth College of Art to design the logo for the award, with the winning logo chosen from a shortlist of six entries.
Methodology:
The assessments are carried out as part of a routine food hygiene inspection; applications are not required as every eligible business is automatically considered under the scheme at each inspection. Information packs are issued to those businesses that are genuinely interested in obtaining the award – the pack includes a copy of ‘Catering for Health – A Guide to Teaching Healthier Catering Practices’ from the Food Standards Agency. Food businesses with high standards of hygiene practices, cleanliness, training, non-smoking areas, use of local produce and healthier options (based upon the ‘Balance of Good Health’) will be issued with a CHEFS award. There are three levels of award to aim for; Gold, Silver and Bronze. The level awarded will be dependent on the extent to which the criteria have been met. For example, to meet the requirements of the Gold award standard, the premises must show:
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A preferential pricing policy for healthier options
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Comprehensive documented hazard analysis and associated documentation
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Intermediate food hygiene training (one member of staff)
Score sheets are used to assess businesses under all of the criteria of the award, and a ‘higher weighted’ score is given to premises with more non-smoking areas and who use a higher percentage of local produce. Food officers undertaking the inspection judge compliance with all of the criteria.
Award winning premises are given a certificate to display along with a window sticker, and are required to sign an agreement that stipulates that the award is the property of the council and will be displayed prominently in their premises. Successful premises are also added to a list which is displayed on the councils' website.
Evaluation:
The Award was launched in October 2005. It is proposed that each of the Cornish local authorities will have 20 award holding premises by the end of March 2006. This equates to approximately 1% of all food businesses in the County.
Resources & Funding:
No specific resources have been allocated to this initiative, although the Eatsome Project assisted with financial funding during the launch. Businesses which appear to meet the award criteria are assessed during their routine food hygiene inspection in order to minimise the amount of extra time that is required to administer the awards.
Lessons Learnt:
- As a Countywide initiative it is very important that all officers across the County are consistent in their approach and handling of the award scheme. The CHEFS Award is a standing item on the agenda of the Cornwall CEHO Food Group, which meets once per six week
- Have clear aims and objectives for the scheme from the outset, and get expert help from partners whenever possible
- Have a logo for your award that is instantly recognisable (and stands out from credit card symbols!
Further Developments:
Further publicity for the scheme is intended via the Council website as well as a directory to be distributed through Tourist Information Centres countywide.
Contact Details:
Contact Name: Martin Holland
Telephone: 01736 336638
Email Address: martin.holland@penwith.gov.uk
Fax: 01736 336780
Website: www.eatsomegoodfood.org
Local Authority Name: Penwith District Council
Local Authority Address:
Housing, Health and Community Safety
St Clare
Penzance
Cornwall.
TR18 3QW
Other Resources: