For each of us, the health of families and ourselves is one of the most important things in life; this concern should be the basis of improving the health of everyone across South Yorkshire.
Small changes in the choices people make can precipitate a big difference.
Collectively these changes can lead to huge improvements in health. These changes need to be based on choices.

The Food in Sheffield programme supports this by exploring knowledge, attitudes and behaviours and then assisting people to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption.

Sheffield Healthy Choices Award

The Sheffield Healthy Choices Award is a city-wide recognised award given to caterers who demonstrate a commitment to customer care through the provision of healthier food choices. All types of catering establishments are eligible to apply for the Sheffield Healthy Choices Award – pubs, hotels, restaurants, takeaway outlets, workplaces, sandwich bars, school or hospital canteens. The Sheffield Healthy Choices Award is being developed and delivered by the Food in Sheffield (5 A DAY) Programme which is managed by Sheffield Wildlife Trust and is being run in partnership with Sheffield Primary Care Trust and Sheffield City Council.

The Healthy Choices Award consists of 2 core strands: Food Safety and Healthier Eating, with 3 further optional strands of Breastfeeding Friendly, Fairtrade and Sourcing Food Locally. The participating caterers first self-assess their premises, this is then verified by a representative from the Food in Sheffield (5 A DAY) programme. Following approval for the core strands of the Sheffield Healthy Choices Award the caterer will receive a certificate and a window sticker to promote their achievements to customers. They will also be listed on the Sheffield City Council Website. If the caterers also meet any of the optional strands they will also receive materials and publicity appropriate to their achievement e.g. listing on the Sheffield Initiative for Fair Trade website.

The need for an award aimed at Caterers was identified during the development of the Focus on Food: Healthy Eating Strategy for Sheffield and is reflected in national guidance such as Choosing Health (Department of Health 2004) which focuses on making healthy choices easier. The inclusion of environmental objectives such as Fairtrade and Sourcing Food Locally reflects the strategic objectives of the Food in Sheffield (5 A DAY) Programme partners (Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Heeley City Farm), to encourage people to think about where food comes from, to improve sustainability and reduce negative environmental impact of food production.