A traditional fruit and vegetable market stall has cropped up at the entrance to Harrogate District Hospital, selling healthy snack choices for patients, visitors and staff.
The Roots & Fruits stall, owned by Julian and Sarah Butler, was opened as part of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s bid to improve healthy eating options for patients and visitors to the Harrogate District Hospital.
The stall, which stocks a variety of fruit and berries including apples, oranges, pineapples, strawberries and blueberries, is open on weekdays from 10am-4pm.
The well-known, family-run greengrocers have been providing local produce to the people of Harrogate for a number of years from its King Edward’s Drive base. Its latest stall adds a touch of colour to the front of the hospital as well as some healthy and refreshing snack options.
Emma Edgar, Cardiology Specialist Nurse at Harrogate District Hospital, said: “We’re really pleased that we are working in partnership with Roots & Fruits to provide healthy snacking options for patients, visitors and staff. It’s absolutely correct that as an NHS organisation we should be promoting healthy eating and encouraging people to have their Five a Day and this is a really simple way of doing that. As cardiac nurses, we are delighted with the healthy eating message associated with this initiative.”
Jill Gale, a Dietitian at Harrogate District Hospital, said: “We’ve had such a positive reaction to the stall and it’s proving really popular. The stall ties in with the development of the Trust’s Food & Drink Strategy.”
This healthier food provision for service users and staff is another positive step forward for the Trust, which was recently awarded a Soil Association Food for Life Catering Mark Bronze, recognising its push for fresh meals and good food at Harrogate District Hospital.
Recently, Herriot’s Restaurant also launched a ‘healthy eating bar’ which includes lower calorie sandwiches, low fat crisps and yoghurts. Changes will shortly be made to the labelling of the menu to highlight lower calorie meal options.
Staff will soon be asked to complete a survey about their views on healthy eating options as well as their eating habits to learn how the Trust can support and improve their health.
Sarah Butler, co-owner of Roots & Fruits, said: “For us, the presence at the hospital has been great. We have had a good response from patients and staff alike. As we also have a retail shop, our name is quite well known. The feeling is they can purchase a healthier snack and/or be able to buy for home as well.
“It offers an alternative to chocolate and crisps and makes people think about their lifestyle and long term health more. The impact of us being here has already shown that it’s a good idea. The comments have all been really positive.”
Pictured: Julian Butler, Sharon Davies, Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse and Emma Edgar, Cardiology Specialist Nurse.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Roots & Fruits is a family run greengrocer that is passionate about supplying quality fruit and veg. Julian and Sarah have more than 30 years’ experience delivering excellent customer service with a smile and pride themselves on being part of a close knit community.
For further information please contact:
Stephen Kelly, Communications and Marketing Assistant, [email protected] and 01423 557732