Healthy food awards The Food for Health Awards (FFHA) have been in place in 2009, council departments includinng public health, the market service, environmental health and economic development. www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/foodforhealth Portas project The awards formed part of a Mary Portas inspired scheme aimed at reviving local shops and high streets. News The annual spring festival will transform Chrisp Street Market this Saturday, April 18, with cooking demonstrations, food growers, animal and bee farms, recycling and upcycling workshops, and advice on how to save energy. Anna Wilson met some of the market traders who are taking part in a scheme promoting produce that is good for you. Business is healthy for the Chrisp Street traders MORE and more stallholders at Chrisp Street Market are becoming part of the Food for Health Awards – a band of restaurants, cafés and convenience stores that have signed up to provide healthier options to their customers. As part of the scheme, the Buywell retail project has been working with convenience stores and traders across Tower Hamlets to increase the availability and affordability of fruit and vegetables. Each trader is assessed according to a standard which ensures they are selling class one quality produce, in striking displays, without the use of bowls. There is also a clear policy around wastage. Many items found are available to buy more cheaply than at major supermarkets. Esther Trenchard-Mabere, associate director of public health at the council, said: “Chrisp Street Market is becoming a destination for foodies with such an eclectic variety of stalls and award-winning cafés, as well as a spot to pick up your fresh fruit and veg daily. “The area remains the heart of the community and we encourage residents and visitors to continue shopping locally to keep the market alive.” Four traders, who have been recognised with an award and, supported by the Buywell team, have their range of goods. All have seen their sales grow as a result. Aruk Choudray, who has been trading at Chrisp Street since 2013, said: “Being part of the Food for Health scheme has really helped my business. “I have increased my sales and doubled my pitch size.” Toklias Miah said: “I have worked very hard to build a successful business and have many customers from outside the borough who like the quality of my produce. “The Food For Health Awards has helped promote my business to new customers and show existing customers that they can trust what they buy.” For more information on the Food for Health Awards visit www.towerhamlets. gov.uk/foodforhealth ARUK CHOUDRAY was a chef for 25 years before setting up his fruit and veg stall at Chrisp Street. He goes to Spitalfields wholesale market every day and is happy to take orders from his customers to ensure he can pick up exactly what they want. “My customers love the wide range of fruits that we offer,” he said. SURATH MIAH has been at Chrisp Street since 2013 and is excited about the new season Alfonso mangoes which will be coming from India and Pakistan in the next couple of weeks. You will not find anything sweeter, he says. Such an eclectic variety of stalls and awardwinning cafés.” TOKLAS MIAH has been selling fruit and veg at Chrisp Street for ten years. He prides himself on his friendly and knowledgeable staff and is particularly well known for his helpful team. He is excited to have new season European strawberries on sale. DILU MIAH has been trading since last September, but he has quickly built up his business and now has many loyal customers. He is helped on the stall by his dad, Abdur Rahman (above). Dilu says the key to success is quality produce at keen prices. 13 – 19 APRIL 2015 N E W S F R OM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 11
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