FOOD outlets are being encouraged to promote healthier eating by becoming members of a new scheme called Heart of Derbyshire.
The county council scheme will launch in September and have a number of elements, all focusing on improving the health of people across Derbyshire through healthier food.
Restaurants, cafes, takeaways and shops can register for free.
To join, they will be asked to make a number of pledges on healthy eating, from using less fat, salt and sugar in their products to offering smaller portion sizes as a choice and using more vegetables, fruit and wholegrains.
Businesses must have achieved a minimum food hygiene rating of three to qualify for the scheme.
There will be three levels of membership – bronze, silver and gold – and the category businesses achieve will depend on their food hygiene rating and the number of pledges they make.
Details of every business that joins the scheme will be featured on the Heart of Derbyshire section of the council's website and each business will get a certificate to display on its premises.
Cabinet member for Health and Communities Councillor Dave Allen said: "The number of obese people nationally is rising and unfortunately that is the case here in Derbyshire too.
"We want to do what we can to try to reverse this, improve people's health and tackle health inequalities that exist across the county.
"As well as improving the health of their customers, we believe the Heart of Derbyshire scheme will be a real boost to businesses as customers see what they have to offer and decide to opt for healthier choices."
Applications for the scheme can be downloaded at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/heartofderbyshire.
