Gold Coast gives green light to A Better Choice selection
Heather Walker, Operational Services Officer, with the range of health sandwiches and wraps available under the A Better Choice strategy.
The Gold Coast Health Service District is setting an example for Queensland Health facilities with supply of healthy food and drink.
The A Better Choice strategy aims at increasing availability of nutritious foods and drinks, while limiting less healthy options.
The Queensland Health strategy was introduced in September 2007 and became mandatory in all state-funded health facilities in September 2008.
Foods and drinks have been classified into three categories according to their nutritional value: green, amber and red.
The strategy applies to food or drinks provided to staff, visitors and the general public, including canteens or kiosks, cafes or coffee shops, vending machines, catering at functions or meetings, fundraising activities, events or prizes, and special events such as program launches.
District Acting Operational Services Manager, Laurel Evans, said A Better Choice was relatively easy to implement at Robina Hospital and was expanded with construction of the new hospital.
'There are no deep fryers at this facility,' she said.
'The food facilities have been designed for the provision of green category foods, including fresh salad and sandwich bars.
'There is also a combi-steamer, gas range, gas wok and facilities to make healthy sandwiches and burgers.'
Laurel said a retail food manager position was recently created by the district to assist potential franchisees in the new Robina Hospital to ensure compliance with A Better Choice.
She said plans were in place to ensure healthier choices were available from 6.30am to 10.00pm across the district.
She said implementing A Better Choice at the Gold Coast Hospital had been challenging, but all vending machines had been free of red food and drinks for more than two years.
Laurel, Food Services Coordinator Robina Hospital, Louvain Clewer, and Retail Food Manger Gold Coast HSD, Kameron Hill, have compiled a list of useful tips to help other districts in implementing A Better Choice.
They are:
- buddy up with another health facility that has had success with A Better Choice; tour the facilities and chat to staff
- continually contact suppliers to ensure they are aware of and following the strategy
- try new green and amber products for the vending machines all the time and stick with the ones that work
- work with the hospital executive and Public Affairs to ensure consistent messages are promoted
- take it one step at a time.
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