HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-12-28, Page 11The Huron Expositor • December 28, 2005 Page 11
News
Seaforth establishmentsstrive
to become 'Eat Smart' registered
Jeff Heuchert
allIMMED
Seaforth restaurants are looking
to gain recognition for their work
in providing healthy choices and
environments to their patrons.
The Huron County Health Unit
annually awards restaurants with
Eat Smart awards, to those estab-
lishments that meet a certain cri-
teria.
They must provide healthy menu
choices, have a certified safe food
handler on staff, a clean record for
at least one year of instances of
food -born illness, and provide a
smoke-free environment.
Community developer with the
health unit Nancy Fisher says the
purpose of the program is to "alle-
viate the causes of long-term
health problems."
Four Seaforth restaurants, and
the Seaforth Community Hospital
cafeteria, all say they meet the cri-
teria, and would like to become
Eat Smart certified.
Part-owner of the Lager House
Pub and Grill Donna Ellis says
they offer many healthy choices on
their menus and even cater to
patrons with diabetes or allergies.
"I would love to fill something
out and get involved with it (Eat
Smart)," she says.
Fisher says the program isn't
aimed at eliminating non -healthy
choices on a menu, rather to just
give patrons the option of healthi-
er choices.
"Instead of french fries, you
should be able to get a salad, at no
extra cost."
Owner of the Seaforth Bakery
Christine Behnke says she as well
would like to participate in Eat
Smart.
Behnke says she thinks she would
qualify because back in November
she had a very successful health
inspection.
Fisher says there are many ways
in which a restaurant can learn
about Eat Smart.
Each year the health unit mails
out information about the program
and how a restaurant can apply, if
they're interested.
Jeff Heuchert photo
Owner of Janet's Country Donut Cafe, Janet Haak stands with.spme of the healthier
options she has recently added to her menu, such as fruit cups, yogurt, and cereal.
In the program's five -plus years,
no Seaforth restaurant has been
designated
an Eat
Smart
location.
Many of
t h e
Seaforth
restau-
rant own-
ers say
they do not
"It may have been an inconsisten-
cy on our behalf with reaching all of
the areas,"
-Ths a y s
Fisher.
Janet
Haak,
owner of
Janet's
Country
Donut
C a f e
says she
'It took us some interesting
maneuvering to get the
designation,' --
Director of nutrition and food for the Huron
Perth Healthcare Alliance
Jane Graul
remember receiving any informa- did receive information in the mail
tion in the mail. back in January and did apply for
the program, but never heard
back.
She added two per cent milk,
yogurt, pudding, fruit cups, and
whole grain bagels to her menu
before sending back the applica-
tion.
Owner of Terry's Family
Restaurant Terry Smith says he
learned of the Eat Smart program
a few months ago after his health
inspection.
He says he was told a nutritionist
would be calling, but he's yet to
hear back.
This year three more restaurants
were designated Eat Smart estab-
lishments, raising the total to 19
across the county.
The list includes three high school
cafeterias and one hospital cafete-
ria, in addition to the restaurants.
Seaforth Community Hospital
would like to become the second
hospital to make that list.
Director of nutrition and food for
the Huron Perth Healthcare
Alliance Jane Graul says she has
already worked with the health
unit to qualify Stratford General
Hospital's cafeteria for the award,
and knows Seaforth is not quite
ready yet.
She says because the hospital
cafeteria does not offer a wide -
range of options, it is difficult to
qualify.
"It took us some interesting
maneuvering to get the designa-
tion," she says about Stratford's
hospital.
The health unit will work with
any owner who would like to
become designated, says Fisher.
She adds that establishments des-
ignated Eat Smart receive a plaque,
which most put on display for their
patrons to see.
Fisher says currently the health
unit is working with a couple of
Seaforth establishments who are
interested in becoming Eat Smart
recognized.
For anyone interested in the Eat
Smart program or how to apply,
visit www.eatamart.web.ca