Chelmsford City Council is helping local businesses make the most of the increasing consumer interest of eating more healthily and living healthier lives.

‘Tuck in’ is the new Essex-wide campaign, funded by Essex County Council’s Leaders Innovation Fund, to help local takeaways make a pledge to deliver small, simple changes to improve public health.

Businesses will be required to reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the foods provided and to use oils which contain less saturated fat.

Not only will businesses making the pledge expand customer choice, save money, increase profits and make better food, the food business operator will have access to free on-line nutrition training and take advantage of free promotion through social media and the Council’s website.

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Ian Grundy supports the campaign.

He said: “There is no cost in making a pledge to ‘Tuck In’ and the free advice visits from local food officers and nutritional training will mean that food businesses can support those customers who are trying to make improved lifestyle choices.

"This campaign really resonates with those who want to start making those small steps in living healthier, happier lives and I hope businesses get involved and ‘tuck in’ to this campaign."

As well as providing healthier food options for students Anglia Ruskin University has invested in nutrition courses for the restaurant staff. The University is also launching their BSc Nutrition course in September.

Professor David Humber, Provost of the Chelmsford Campus at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “As a society we are becoming more and more interested in eating healthily and at Anglia Ruskin we’re pleased to support this initiative in the city.

“It’s well known that a healthy body equals a healthy mind and so in our constant mission to improve our learning environment, we’re delighted to be helping to launch this initiative.

"We try hard to provide plenty of healthy options on campus as part of our commitment to our students and staff.”

Local takeaway businesses please contact tuckin@chelmsford.gov.uk and arrange for a visit from a member of the ‘Tuck In’ team. Sign up today and start seeing the benefits.