Three Saffron Walden food outlets sign up to healthy eating campaign

A trio of food outlets in Saffron Walden have signed up to become ambassadors for healthier eating.

Bites and Cafe Cou Cou, in George Street, and Bicicletta, in Market Walk, are the first three businesses in the town to receive accreditation for Uttlesford District Council’s Tuck In campaign.

The aim of the initiative is to enable independent food outlets to make small chances to their food to make it healthier, including reducing salt or sugar in their food as well as highlight healthier options.

All three were presented their certificates of recognition last Thursday (June 2). As well as the certificates, the businesses also received vouchers to spend on food safety and nutrition courses as well as stickers to display to promote they are part of the scheme.

Victoria Penn, manager of Bites, said: “Tammy, the council’s environmental health technical officer, has a real appetite for the scheme and was really keen to drive it forward. She provided a lot of information on what we could do with it.

“We have just launched the scheme and we’re looking forward to get customer feedback to see how they like our new options.”

Peter Moore, manager of Bicicletta, added: “It was the direction we were going in and it was like music to our ears to hear that the council was supporting healthier food options with this scheme.

“We have tried to make our customers more aware of what they eat. We are still selling cakes, but also highlighting fresh fruit too.”

The owners of Cafe Cou Cou, Jane Fearnley and Sarah Cunningham, said: “We have made some simple changes for healthier alternatives for our customers. Reducing sugar, saturated fat and the salt content as far as possible without comprising flavour, offering a low fat alternative to our sauces and dressings. We have had a very positive response from our customers and are pleased to have been recognised for our efforts.”

Councillor Susan Barker, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “I am delighted the first three businesses in Saffron Walden have met their Tuck In pledges.

“There is no cost in making the pledge and the free support given to food outlets by our environmental health team will mean that businesses can help those customers who are trying to make improvements in their lifestyles.

“I would encourage other businesses to get involved, and members of the public to keep an eye out for the Tuck In sticker, which will be displayed in those premises who successfully make and meet the pledge.”

To take part in the Tuck In scheme, contact envhealth@uttlesford.gov.uk or call 01799 510483.