2 Oct 2007

Interserve FM, PFI partner of Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, were awarded the Dudley Food for Health Award this month for their commitment to providing healthy food in their “Time Out” restaurant in the hospital.

The Food for Health Award, which is applied for by a number of catering outlets throughout the region, including work places, schools, residential/nursing homes, takeaways, cafes and pubs, aims to increase the availability of healthier food options that are prepared and served in a healthy environment for people eating outside of their homes.

Interserve FM Staff at the Time Out restaurant, which is used by hospital employees, patients and visitors, have been helping customers to eat more healthily through a number of initiatives implemented over the past six months.

Catering Manager of Time Out, Helen Standish-Bevan said:

“It’s brilliant to win this award which all the staff have worked so hard to achieve. Everybody today is so aware of the importance of eating healthily and it’s up to the catering industry to make it as easy as possible for people to do that.

“Interserve have achieved this by providing and promoting healthier food choices such as more fruit and veg, reducing the amount of ingredients like salt and sugar used in cooking and baking, and introducing healthier alternatives where possible – for example, we use wholemeal flour, fat-reduced milk, yoghurt in the place of cream and we grill instead of fry whenever we can. We have also taken the salt pots off the tables and sauces, butter and salad dressings are optional as opposed to being readily provided.”

Neal Gisborne, Interim General Manager of Interserve FM at Russells Hall Hospital, said:

“Interserve FM place the highest regard on good nutrition. As a company we aim to promote healthy eating for all in an enjoyable and tempting way. Additionally, we also aim to cater for those who have any special needs such as food intolerances or require a special diet.”

Paul Farenden, Hospital Trust Chief Executive said:

 “It is really important that we are able to offer our staff, patients and visitors healthy options on our menus.  Diabetes, and other obesity related conditions are rapidly on the increase, and it is vital that we work together to encourage our staff, patients and visitors to eat a healthy balanced diet.  We are delighted to have won the award here in Dudley, as it is a testament to the hard work and commitment of staff within the hospital who work continuously to improve the range of food on offer in our hospitals, and ensure it is of the highest standard in terms of quality and its nutritional balance.”