News

Eat Smart Award

Newmarket, Ontario - York County Hospital was one of 73 establishments, including restaurants, schools and hospital cafeterias, to receive the York Region Eat Smart Award. Awards were presented on June 22, 2000 at the York Region Administrative building. Diane Fitzpatrick, Coordinator of Food Services accepted the award on behalf of York County Hospital.

Each facility who applied for the award had to meet very specific criteria. Approximately 63% of this year's applicants were successful in meeting the criteria which included:

.    the number of healthy choices offered on the menu, i.e. lower fat foods available;

.    100% fruit juices;

.    at least four choices of vegetables and fruit offered, etc.

.    excellent track record for past 12 months with Public Health inspection;

.    at least one staff member certified in a Public Health Safe Food Handling program;

.    facility must be 50 to 100% non-smoking

.    facility must be breastfeeding friendly.

The public health inspector did an on-site visit and a follow up call was made by the Public Health Nutritionist to ensure that York County Hospital met all the criteria for the award.

Mayors from each municipality presented the certificates to each of the winners. This ceremony was followed by group pictures. Rogers Television-Newmarket briefly interviewed Diane, who commented that "York County Hospital is a health care facility and must set an example and practice what we preach. We offer our customers healthy choices and choices that they want."

The certificate is posted at the entrance to "Our Place". Congratulations to all Food Service staff on this wonderful accomplishment!