Alberta Health and Wellness is encouraging restaurants to join the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check Alberta restaurant program, but smaller dining establishments are finding the fees difficult to swallow.
In order to have a meal certified with a Health Check symbol, it could cost a restaurant a minimum annual licensing fee of $1,350, plus a one-time fee of between $150 to $700 per menu item.
In Okotoks, only chain restaurants like Boston Pizza, Extreme Pita and Pizza Hut are part of the Health Check program. Although more restaurant owners say they would be interested in getting involved, many are concerned the licensing fee is just too steep.
“With such a small business, that’s a big chunk of money,” said Michelle Albert, owner of Okotoks restaurant Gourmet on the Go, which specializes in healthy meal options with many gluten-free dishes.
Health Check is a program launched by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, first in grocery stores in 1999 and now in restaurants. The goal is to help Canadians make healthier choices at the grocery store and when dining out. Different food manufacturers can display the Health Check symbol on their products when they meet Health Check’s nutritional criteria, which accounts for total fat, sodium and sugar.
Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky announced the Province’s support for the program during the Action on Wellness Forum hosted by Alberta Health and Wellness last December.
But the high fee structure to get Health Check certified seems to exclude many smaller businesses, despite the fact many already offer healthy options, said Albert.
“I would like to take part… but I can’t do it. It’s just too expensive,” she said. “Everything in my restaurant already is healthy, but I don’t see how as a smaller business that it would even be feasible.”
Albert said if there were a more reasonable fee structure for smaller restaurants, she would be keen to get on board with the Health Check program.
“I appreciate Alberta Health and Wellness wanting restaurants to take part in the Health Check program, but that’s just not even accessible to me at all.”
Ron Swartz, owner and manager of Heartland Café in Okotoks, agreed the fee structure is simply out of reach for small restaurants.
“Not at that price,” said Swartz. “It’s not worth it for me.”
Swartz said he has noticed customers want healthier menu options today, and would be interested in having a Health Check symbol on his menu if the fee weren’t so high.
“There’s definitely more awareness about gluten-free or fat-free, and this and that free,” said Swartz.
In response to these small restaurants’ concerns, Stephanie Lawrence, manager of communications for Health Check, said the program takes a population health approach.
“The program was designed to influence the eating choices of as many Canadians as possible,” said Lawrence in a statement.
The Health Check restaurant program only began in 2006, said Lawrence.
Since the program is still relatively new, Lawrence said the initial focus is to get national chains taking part, as restaurants with many outlets can make the most difference offering a greater number of people healthy choices when dining out.
The Health Check grocery store program, which rolled out in 1999, now has a sliding fee structure to allow all companies, large and small, to participate, said Lawrence.
The model for the restaurant program is evolving, and Lawrence said Health Check hopes to be able to work with as many restaurant operators as possible in the future.
Until then, smaller restaurants will likely have no choice but to wait for a cheap seat to open up on the healthy eating bandwagon.
