Bergland Café receives provincial Eat Smart Award

Ken Johnston
Editor

For only the third time a special honour has been bestowed upon a local restaurant.

The Bergland Café, owned and operated by Karen Sepers, was presented with the provincial Eat Smart Award last Thursday by Heidi Ivall of the Northwestern Health Unit.

Ivall said that she had been in the café during the summer and noticed that it was completely a smoke-free business. That was the catalyst to asking Sepers if she would be willing to make some revisions to her menu that include some healthy eating choices.

Sepers said that she already had many healthy food choices available but had not placed emphasis on them on her menu and was willing to do so.

To qualify for the award the restaurant has to meet several criteria in three areas.

1. At least 50% smoke-free.

2. Food Safety: At least one full-time kitchen staff member certified in safe food handling and at least 12 months of an excellent track record with public health inspection.

3. Nutrition: There must be at least two lower-fat grain products, at least four choices of vegetables/fruit prepared in a lower-fat way; lower-fat milk on the menu; at least one entrée prepared in a lower fat way; at least one lower-fat dessert choice; milk or 100% fruit juice offered with children's menu.

Sepers took the food handling course and according to Ivall “Aced it.”

She said that she already had whole grain buns for subs and burgers and whole grain bread available as well. She added vegetables and dip to the menu and put more emphasis on other healthy eating choices on the menu. “We already had low fat yogurt for dessert, but didn’t have it on the menu,” explained Sepers.

Ivall noted that the program does not tell people what to eat, “It gives them healthy choices.”

Sepers said that she really likes the program especially since she is new to the business and found it very helpful in setting her menu up.

Only two other restaurants have received this award in the area. The Roadside Restaurant in Rainy River and the Roseberry Runway in Barwick received it last year in the first year of the program.

Sepers received an Award of Excellence signed by the Chief Medical Officer of the Northwestern Health Unit, Dr. Pete Sarsfield. She also received table top information for patrons to read about the program.

Ivall commended Sepers for a job well done in providing the healthy choices and noted that it is exceptional to have a completely smoke-free restaurant.

“That is the usual stumbling block for restaurants looking at this program.”