A housing scheme for older people, run by Springboard, part of Genesis Housing Group, has received the 'Essex Healthy Life Healthy Eating' Silver award in recognition of its menus, kitchen hygiene and food safety management systems. Fitzwilliams Court , in Old Harlow, Essex, provides a daily food service to older people, which includes a cooked midday meal.

The Essex Healthy Life Healthy Eating awards scheme is operated by the Essex Food Liaison Group, a partnership between all environmental health officers and food control teams in Essex. It receives assistance from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Part of the process involved regular inspections, in addition to unannounced random visits. As well as having menus and food preparation methods examined, participants had to be able to demonstrate that levels of fats, oils, salt and sugar are kept to a minimum, and that fresh fruit and vegetables are readily available each day.

Claire Dunford, manager of Fitzwilliam Court, says 'We are delighted that our kitchen practices have been recognised across Essex in this way. We've managed to provide healthier meals without compromising on taste. We take the health of our customers very seriously and will be going for Gold next year!'

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For further information about Genesis Housing Group, please contact Diana Evans on 020 8150 4178 / email diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

Springboard is the newest member of the Genesis family. It joined Genesis Housing Group in April 2005 and currently supports more than 5,000 households in 24 local authority areas across London, Essex and Hertfordshire. In addition to general needs housing, shared ownership and leasehold properties, Springboard specialises in supported housing for the elderly and people with special needs.