The Peppermill Hotel is working with Greater Shepparton City Council's Active Living department to start the Benny the Broccoli program, aimed at providing healthy food options for children.
The Peppermill Hotel sells more than 300 children's meals per week, making it the perfect local restaurant to try the Benny the Broccoli program.
By signing up to the program, local restaurants will make simple health and wellbeing changes to their menus, with the goal of having meals endorsed by Benny the Broccoli.
In Shepparton, 23.4 per cent of the population is considered obese, which is higher than the state average of 18.8 per cent. More than 54 per cent of the local population does not meet the requirements for daily intake of fruit and vegetables.
The Peppermill Hotel has made changes to its menu, and also added a healthy dessert option of fruit salad cups. Vegetables and salad were also included in the side options and positive messaging was placed around the hotel.
As part of the program, cafes and restaurants will be required to inform their customers about the healthy options on their menus, as well as:
- Enhance their market position by securing contracts with organisations who want to provide healthy food and drink options for their staff and visitors;
- Attract new customers who are more health-conscious;
- Enhance innovation with opportunities to create new menu items or expand existing product lines
- Establish themselves as a leader of providing healthy food and drinks within the retail food outlet industry
If any local restaurants or cafes wish to be involved in the next stages of this program and would like support in creating a healthier children's menu, please contact Council's Healthy Communities Project Officer on 5832 9436.
