Bright and tasty food winners (From Echo)

Bright and tasty food winners

5:00am Tuesday 29th January 2008

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CHICKEN nuggets and chips are off the menu for these children. Their nurseries are among the first to win a new healthy eating award.

Dizzy Ducks day nursery and Burstead Bears day nursery in Billericay, and Northlands Park children's centre, in Basildon, have all scored a gold Essex Healthy Eating Award from Basildon Council.

As well as healthy menus and cooking techniques, the new award also recognises caterers' high standards of hygiene.

At Burstead Bears, all the food is cooked fresh on site with no added preservatives and, according to nursery director Tina Lassman, the effects are obvious.

She said: "It is noticeable in their behaviour and their learning. They are much calmer.

"Catching them at this age is so important. Getting them into good habits is key. We serve a great variety of food from all around the world including spaghetti bolognese, curries and roast dinners."

Chef Steve Barber prepares lunch and tea for 60 children at the Northlands Park Sure Start children's centre every day, Monday to Friday.

He said: "It's about approaching everything in a sensible way, not omitting bad' foods completely from their diets, but having it as a treat occasionally.

"We always encourage them to bring in cakes if it is someone's birthday.

"The children are all pretty good. We tend to find if we take the bad stuff away they don't ask for it. If you start with a healthy food ethos, then the children understand that is what's available."

So far, the award has only been targeted at nurseries, care homes and canteens, but all catering businesses are now welcome to apply.

Tony Ball, deputy leader of Basildon Council, said: "Many people, especially nursery school toddlers and care home pensioners, have little choice over where or what they eat.

"We think the awards are a good way of encouraging caterers to offer healthier meals as well as recognising those that already do."

And the healthy award winners were. . .

Gold award: Dizzy Ducks day nursery, Perry Street, Billericay.

Surestart Northlands Park children's centre, Davenants, Basildon.

Burstead Bears day nursery, Southend Road, Billericay.

Silver award: Bupa Care Home, Ghyllgrove, Basildon.

Cafe Manhattan, Summerhill Garden Centre, Arterial Road, Billericay.

Eurest at First Data Resource, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon.

Baxter Storey at International Financial Data Services, IFDS House, St Nicholas Lane, Basildon.

Eurest at Ford Product Development Europe, Dunton Technical Centre, Laindon Lilliput Village children's nursery, Burnt Mills Road, Basildon First Steps day nursery, Rokescroft, Pitsea Baxter Storey at International Financial Data Services, IFDS House, St Nicholas Lane, Basildon.

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