AN EVESHAM cafe has become the latest venue in the Vale to achieve the Healthier Choices Food Award Gold Standard.
JellyPickleJam, found in Vine Mews, was awarded the prestigious status for offering healthier eating options for adults, as well as children, and was given a gold award for using local food suppliers.
The awards, run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services, are only open to businesses that have the highest possible five-star food hygiene rating.
Lisa Whelan, the owner of JellyPickleJam, was recognised for her Community Crop Scheme, which uses produce that local people have brought in, or that her own team has harvested, to make her soups, jams and pickles.
“Achieving the Healthier Choices Food Award is immensely important to us as it reinforces our ethos of being able to treat yourself whilst maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet, along with our mission to reduce food waste and make the most of our local resources,” Lisa said.
“As we make most of our food from scratch we’re able to make these healthier changes and reduce food waste at the same time.
“I believe that as food producers it’s our responsibility to support wider food and nutrition initiatives that enable individuals to make their own choices, to take control of their eating habits, but also to have a little treat every now and again along the way. Eating out can still be pleasurable without the guilt and we’re proud to be part of that experience.”
Coun Gerry O’Donnell, who is responsible for promoting health improvement across Wychavon, said: “Healthy eating plays an important role in healthy lifestyles and a lifestyle that incorporates a healthy diet – as well as regular, moderate physical activity – will help us live longer and improve our quality of life.
“We’re proud that Wychavon has more than its fair share of fantastic food establishments such as JellyPickleJam and that they’re giving people in the district such a wonderful and tantalising choice when it comes to healthy, fresh and varied food choices.”
