CookSmart (8th Issue) Page26

"EatSmart Customer Community Programme" Recognition Ceremony Highlight

"EatSmart Customer Community Programme" Recognition Ceremony

Background

The sustainability of the "EatSmart@restaurant.hk Campaign" relies on the cooperation of the catering industry as well as the support from community members. In light of this, the EatSmart Customer Community Programme (ECCP), supported by the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, was launched in 2009 in collaboration with Non-government Organisations (NGOs).

It is not easy to become an EatSmart Customer (EC). Participants had to attend the ECCP workshops, underwent comprehensive training on healthy eating skills and to distinguish EatSmart Dishes with "More Fruit and Vegetables" and "3 Less". Through the network of the participated NGOs, about 250 community members from 19 NGOs in 18 districts were recruited as ECs.

The workshops aimed at providing ECs an opportunity to understand their roles and missions before visiting the respective EatSmart Restaurant s (ESRs) to appraise their dishes being served. From March 2009 to January 2010, ECs had visited over 400 ESRs in Hong Kong.

In order to highlight the contribution of the stakeholders to the ECCP, the Department of Health organised a Recognition Ceremony at the Leighton Hill Community Hall on 26 February 2010.

Ceremony Highlight

The ceremony was much honoured to have Dr. LAM Ping- yan JP, Director of Health, Dr. CHIANG Chung-seung, President of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, Dr. KO Tak-him, Patrick, Past President of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology and Ms. LAU Yin-hing, Connie, Chief Executive of Consumer Council as the guests of honour. A video clip to capture the highlights of ECCP was shown and a role play to arouse the audience's awareness towards the healthy dishes with "More Fruit and Vegetables" and "3 Less" was performed with the joint efforts of the participatory NGOs. The ceremony wrapped up by a call of favourite "EatSmart Dishes" from the ECs, writing down their favourite healthy dishes which are expected to be served at all the ESRs in the future to show their support to ECCP cordially.

All participants enjoyed the event greatly; and the message of ECs were posted on site to share their comments and gains in ECCP. The Recognition Ceremony ended in an array of laughter and joy.