Healthy catering options made easy

Published on 19 June 2015

A second edition of the popular Healthy Catering Handbook was launched this morning.

Developed by Healthy Together Mildura in partnership with local caterers, the handbook aims to make healthy catering easier by providing a list of local catering providers, along with a menu of available options.

Since its launch in late 2013 with just five caterers, the Handbook has grown to include nine local businesses who have embraced the project and put together a wide range of tasty healthy options. Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Advisory Service have assessed each menu item to ensure all foods included in the handbook are indeed healthy.

Participating caterers include: Banjo’s Bakery Café, Clove, Espresso Drive, Food for the Mood, The Good Cooks, The Gourmet Chef, Subway, Sumo Salad and Zambelli’s Kitchen.

Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said the strength of the Handbook lies in its development based on community demand.

“The Handbook was originally developed in response to requests from workplaces participating in the Healthy Together Achievement Program,” Cr Peart said. “Many workplaces and event hosts said they wanted to offer healthier options, but had no idea where to start. They wanted an easy to use guide that gave them the what, the who and the how. The Healthy Catering Handbook ticks all the boxes and has been very popular.”

“Workplaces have reported strong use, and since the Handbook launch have seen a dramatic shift towards healthier catering. It has also inspired some workplaces to create and enforce a healthy catering policy.

“Importantly, it’s become a resource for anyone hosting an event, social function or get-together, not just for corporate style functions.”

Healthy Together Mildura Manager Andrea Sloane said all of the participating caterers had put in a lot of effort to have their menus assessed, and had become partners in creating a healthy eating culture within our local workplaces.

“Our local caterers have really made an extraordinary commitment to improving the health of the community," Mrs Sloane said. “The healthy catering handbook really does make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

The Healthy Catering Handbook is free and is available from all participating caterers as well as online at www.healthytogethermildura.com.au

Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services.

ENDS