2007 Eat Smart! award winners

 

Program celebrates York Region's top food premises for healthy eating

 

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York is pleased to announce that 86 York Region eating establishments have earned a 2007 Eat Smart! award.  This prestigious award recognizes the efforts of local food premises in meeting the high Eat Smart! standards set in the areas of food safety, nutrition and smoke-free dining.

 

"To be recognized as an Eat Smart! award winner is a significant achievement," said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch.  "I am very pleased that year after year, local businesses maintain their commitment to offer York Region residents and visitors the best in healthy dining."

 

The Eat Smart! award program is Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program offered by York Region through the Health Services Department.  This exclusive program recognizes restaurants and food premises that:

• offer a variety of healthier food choices, on the menu or by request
• have exceptional standards in food safety including kitchen staff certified in safe food handling
• provide a 100 per cent smoke-free environment

 

"The Eat Smart! Award program presents fine dining in the truest sense of the word," commented City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio, Chair of the York Region Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee.  "Whether they are a luxurious restaurant, a family eatery, a cafeteria or a coffee shop, these eating establishments offer menus designed with your health in mind."

 

"Nutrition, food safety and a 100 per cent smoke-free environment are health issues that are important to York Region residents," added Dr. Karim Kurji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Director of Public Health Programs, York Region Health Services.  "They can help reduce everyone's risk of cancer and heart disease, and safe food handling can help prevent food borne illness."

 

Eat Smart! restaurants offer a variety of healthy food choices.  They prepare entrees and desserts with less fat and offer more options in grain products, vegetables and fruit on their menus.  At these recognized establishments, patrons can also eat healthier by asking for options such as:

 

• Milk in coffee or tea, instead of cream
• Gravies, sauces and salad dressings are served on the side
• Calorie-reduced or fat-free salad dressings are offered
• Butter, margarine and other spreads are served on the side
• A substitute for french fries when served as part of a meal
• Vegetable sticks, salad, potato or rice instead of french fries in a child's meal
• Removal of visible fat from meat and skin from poultry
• Information about recipe ingredients, whenever possible
• A menu for smaller appetites and/or half-portions of regular menu items

 

In addition, Eat Smart! restaurants have also met high standards in food safety with a proven track record in safe food handling and sanitation.  Only Eat Smart! award winners can guarantee to have staff trained and certified in a food handler safety program.

 

How does a restaurant win an Eat Smart! award?

 

Eat Smart! restaurants are nominated by York Region Public Health Inspectors because of excellent food safety records.  Once nominated, each establishment undergoes a rigorous review to ensure that it meets the high Eat Smart! standards for healthy food choices, food safety and smoke-free dining.  The awards are granted on an annual basis.

 

The awards will be presented to the restaurant owners or designate in ceremonies within the municipality in which the eating establishment is located.  These ceremonies will take place as part of a regular meeting of Council, as follows:

 

Tuesday, March 27 7:00 p.m.	Town of Aurora 1 Municipal Drive, Aurora
Monday, April 2 6:00 p.m.	Township of King 2075 King Road, King City
Wednesday, April 11 7:30 p.m.	Town of Richmond Hill 22 East Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill
Friday, April 13 9:00 a.m.	Town of Markham 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
Monday, April 16 7:00 p.m.	Town of Newmarket 395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket
Monday, April 16 7:00 p.m.	Town of East Gwillimbury 19000 Leslie Street, Sharon
Tuesday, April 17 7:00 p.m.	Whitchurch-Stouffville 37 Sandiford Dr. 4th floor, Stouffville
Monday, April 23 1:00 p.m.	City of Vaughan 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan
Monday, April 23 7:00 p.m.	Town of Georgina 26557 Civic Centre Road, Keswick

 

For more information on this or other health-related issues, please contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit www.york.ca

 

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