The Great Weight Debate – Supporting Healthier Catering
Updated: 26 February, 2024
The Great Weight Debate – Supporting Healthier Catering
Updated: 26 February, 2024
 This week we were delighted to accept an invitation to speak at the London Obesity Exchange, which is a series of practical events designed to tackle childhood obesity.
The meeting was held at the luscious Roots and Shoots community garden in Lambeth, London, and was attended by key health authorities. Organiser of the event, Sarah Cork, stressed the importance of caterers and retailers offering lower-cost healthier options and marketing them well in the battle to reduce obesity.
Left to right: Elaine Robertson, Programme Manager, London Borough of Bexley; Terry Larkin, Group General Manager, JJ Food Service; Louise Lam, Obesity Lead, London Borough of Bexley
Left to right: Elaine Robertson, Programme Manager, London Borough of Bexley; Terry Larkin, Group General Manager, JJ Food Service; Louise Lam, Obesity Lead, London Borough of Bexley
This responsibility moves up the supply chain to wholesalers, which is where the work we are doing JJ Food Service comes into play.
Improving choice for caterers
Just 1% of UK advertising goes on healthy food and drink, but at JJ Food Service we are proud to say we do much more. Terry Larkin, Group General Manager told attendees, “We advertise our fresh fruits and vegetables every week via our ‘fresh offers’ email as well as social media and product guides.”
Event organisers praised JJ for being at the “forefront” of healthier catering options, pointing out that we were the first UK wholesaler to participate in the Healthier Catering Commitment last year, which offered food outlets a 10% discount for three months when they purchased certain healthier catering items
JJ's weekly 'fresh produce' e-shot is distributed to thousands of customers
JJ’s weekly ‘fresh produce’ e-shot is distributed to thousands of customers
“The result was an increase in sales for all these lines, particularly rapeseed oil,” said Terry. “For us, healthier catering is about balance – it’s about improving choice while keeping menus tasty and affordable.”
JJ Food Service will continue working with local health authorities to raise awareness of healthier catering options in London and beyond.
Don’t forget to let your customers know about the fresh fruits, vegetables, gluten-free and low-calorie options we offer. And the discounts available when they join the HCC – for more information click here.