Turkey Trot
James McCrory, Principal Environmental Officer, explained how a simple and cost-effective idea leads to an amusing way of educating the public.
Summary
Selby District Council organised a Turkey Trot the week before Christmas where staff from the environmental health department came up with the idea of dressing up as a turkey and chicken. Besides being quite an entertaining sight they were also handing out leaflets outside local supermarkets informing shoppers of the risks associated with poultry and giving advice on how to cook safely.
Project Name: Turkey Trot
Project Start Date: 2003
Project Location Type: Rural and city
Project Origins and original aims/Objectives and purpose of the project:
At this time of year many families are struck down by food poisoning due to not following the simple rules of hygiene or cooking poultry correctly. The Food Standards Agency have recently highlighted on their website, www.eatwell.gov.uk, and on the television the importance of hygiene and cooking and the Environmental Health Officers at Selby decided to link in with this campaign, with the use of the turkey and chicken costumes to capture local media attention to get the message as far and wide as possible.
Organisations Involved:
1. Selby District Council Environmental Health Staff
2. Tesco
3. Morrisons
4. Somerfield
Methodology:
The staff at Environmental Health came up with this idea, and approached the managers at the three supermarkets, all of which were happy to be involved. Costumes were hired locally and over 4 days 2 members of the Environmental Health team handed out 1200 leaflets, which the department had produced. www.selby.gov.uk/upload/turkey_safety.pdf.
Target Audience:
Local community
Funding:
The exercise was funded fully by the Environmental Health team at a cost of approximately £110 and two officers time for 2 hours per day over 4 days.
The costs included the two outfits, which were hired from a local fancy dress shop for £51, and 2000 leaflets, which were printed in-house for £60.
Evaluation:
This was a short campaign but feedback from the general public was positive and all of the local media took an interest including Look North the local TV station.
Future Developments:
This was a focused initiative for Christmas to coincide with the FSA ad campaign and it is hoped to run it again next year.
Contact Name: James McCRory
Position: Principal Environmental Health Officer
Address:
Selby District Council
Environmental Services
Portholme Road
Selby
North Yorkshire
YO8 4SB
Telephone: 01757 292104
Email Address: jmccrory@selby.gov.uk