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Hertfordshire County Council

Herts Responsible Food Award

We're certifying businesses that are creating a cleaner, greener, healthier Hertfordshire.

 

 

About the scheme

The Herts Responsible Food Award celebrates businesses that offer healthier food choices and adopt sustainable practices.

Earning the award is a great way to stand out, build trust with customers, and be recognised for doing the right thing.

 

 

Who can apply?

  • Any Hertfordshire food business that prepares and serves food directly to customers, including coffee shops, food vans and market stalls.
  • Businesses with a food hygiene rating of 3 (satisfactory), 4 (good) or 5 (very good).

The owner or a senior staff member will need to complete the application. 

 

Perks of becoming an award holder

  • Up to 3 fully funded Level 2 Food Hygiene courses for your staff.
  • Discounts from local suppliers.
  • Access to a support package from the Hertfordshire Growth Hub to boost your profitability and sustainability.
  • Advertisement and promotion from your local council.
  • Networking opportunities with other businesses.

 

 

If you're not ready to get started register your interest

  We'll reach out in a few days with some fantastic tips to get you going.  
  We can guide you through the application process and have your business winning an award in no time!  

 

 

 


What are the core actions?

There are 18 core actions across three categories. Your business should be able to demonstrate all core actions to achieve the Standard award.

 

1. Good practice and local economy

  • Do you pay your staff the National Minimum Wage (to those who are school leaving age) or the National Living Wage (for those aged 21 or over)? 

 

2. Healthier eating

Deep fat frying, oils and fats

  • Is cooking oil in deep fat fryers heated to the optimum temperature?
  • Is excess fat drained from the food before serving? 
  • Is your oil properly maintained?
  • Are polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats and/or oils used when cooking/frying food that are appropriate for the intended task?
  • Do you only offer and use products free of trans fatty acids?

Salt and sugar

  • Do customers add any extra salt they want on prepared food themselves?
  • Are you using the least possible amount of salt, or no salt at all, in your recipes?
  • Are most of your soft drinks reduced sugar/diet drinks?
  • Are reduced sugar/diet soft drinks or water displayed more prominently than non-diet drinks?

Portion sizes

  • Are smaller portions for main meals and side dishes available for children as standard? 

Fruit and vegetables

  • Is the option of a portion of salad, vegetables or fruit available with all meals?

Inclusivity, promotion and marketing

  • Is healthier eating promoted by staff?
  • Does your menu include a choice of vegetarian and/or vegan main meals?

 

3. Sustainability

Environmental monitoring and energy

  • Do you ensure all non-essential equipment is turned off when not in use?

Recycling

  • Does your business recycle basic items?

Food waste

  • Is food waste stored and collected separately from general waste?

Carbon emissions and food miles

  • Does your business choose to procure food locally where possible?

Procurement

  • Does your business purchase responsibly caught/farmed fish?
  • If your business uses eggs, are they all free range or organic?

 

What are the bonus actions?

There are 32 bonus actions across three categories. If you can meet a number of these actions (plus all core actions), you'll qualify for the Silver or Gold award, showing excellent commitment to the scheme.

 

1. Good practice and local economy

  • Have all employees involved in handling food completed a minimum of Level 2 Food Hygiene Training?
  • Do you provide/fund any additional training for staff beyond the minimum requirements for their role?

 

2. Healthier eating

Deep fat frying, oils and fats

  • Do you offer customers the option of having an unsaturated, lower fat or homemade versions of condiments, dressings or spreads? 
  • Do you have skimmed milk and at least two non-dairy milk alternatives available to customers?
  • Do you provide thick cut chips or potato wedges as an alternative to French fries/thin chips?
  • Do you limit the quantity of red meat and processed meat on your menu?
  • Do you choose to grill, steam or oven cook any menu items, which may typically be fried?

Salt and sugar

  • If additional salt is available to customers to add themselves is this stored away from individual tables?
  • Are lower salt versions of condiments, including those which are homemade, available to customers?
  • Are lower salt alternatives used in cooking?
  • If snacks are available at till points, are lower sugar snacks available?
  • Is free drinking/tap water always available to customers?
  • If you offer desserts, do you offer any lower sugar options?

Portion sizes

  • Do you offer any smaller or 'lighter' meal options for adults?

Fruit, vegetables and fibre

  • Do you make sure lots of vegetables and/or fruit are included in dishes throughout your menu?
  • Are wholegrain varieties of starchy products available for customers and incorporated, where possible, within main meals?

Inclusivity, promotion and marketing

  • Is your menu inclusive for people with dietary and/or cultural needs? 
  • Is your business signed up to the Hertfordshire Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme?

 

3. Sustainability

Environmental monitoring and energy

  • Does your business collect data on monthly usage of energy and water, and use this data to reduce consumption?
  • Have you taken measures to improve the energy efficiency of the building and the appliances you use?

Recycling

  • Has your business introduced recycling of any items which can't be recycled within typical waste streams?
  • Has your business introduced a scheme where customers can bring in their own reusable cups for a discounted price?

Food waste

  • Is your oil being collected separately from your general waste?
  • Does your business make efforts to reduce inedible food waste from the kitchen
  • Does your business to make efforts to reduce edible food waste such as local food bank donations, composting or joining schemes?

Carbon emissions and food miles

  • Does your business change your menu throughout the year to use more seasonal foods?
  • If applicable, does your business monitor your own business mileage and emissions and use this data to reduce these values?
  • Does your business have a no idling policy?

Procurement

  • Is most of the meat you serve (including any pre-prepared products) from farms which satisfy UK animal welfare standards or equivalent?
  • Does your business buy, use or serve products produced in a way which ensures a fair price for the farmers and growers?
  • If you use solid fuel for cooking, do you have plans to switch to a cleaner alternative fuel with lower smoke emissions?
  • Does your business choose to only purchase sustainable chemicals and cleaning products?

 

Standard Herts Responsible Food Award

Businesses who deliver all core actions are eligible for the Herts Responsible Business Standard Award.

Silver Herts Responsible Food Award

Businesses who deliver 20 bonus actions including all core actions across the 3 categories are eligible for the Silver Award.

Gold Herts Responsible Food Award

Businesses who deliver 30 bonus actions including all core actions across the 3 categories are eligible for the Gold Award.

 

 

 

 

 

Staff at Inn on the Park CafeInn on the Park Cafe

"Our food and drink offering is elevated by our homemade cakes, sausage rolls and soups, made in house with fresh seasonal ingredients and organic, low salt stocks. For those wishing to indulge a little less we have dietary options such as lower fat dressings, salads as well as sugar free options too."

 

Award winners outside Halsey's Deli & EateryHalsey's Deli

"Tom was very helpful in providing alternatives to some of our practices to improve on the work we had already done on sustainability, limiting plastic usage, healthier eating option etc. I'd highly recommend any catering business to go through the programme as a way of improving their ways of working."

 

Mudlarks Hertford Mudlarks Cafe

“We were delighted to see that Hertfordshire County Council were supporting businesses that strive to provide healthy and nutritious food, and we really hope that more cafes and restaurants will apply for the awards.” 

 

Award winners outside Cha KulchaCha Kulcha

“We started the café because we have a passion for good food and believed people should have an easier time making choices that are good for their health. We have personal experience with dietary limitations and intolerances so we wanted to focus on a menu which can cater to those needs."

 

pizza wow Pizza Wow
at The White Bear

Pizza Wow have introduced and promoted vegetarian and gluten free options on their menu and reduced the amount of salt in their pizza dough by almost half!

 

 

Hear from other awarded businesses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get in touch

Line drawing of fruit, veg and HRFA logo

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